Oct 11th - Break the Welch's World Record for Grape Stomping and Laugh with Bob Newhart that night
“Chautauqua County is where we grow 60% of NY State’s annual grape tonnage. What a perfect time of year and place to break a world record with Concord grapes, and laugh along with a comedy legend like Bob Newhart," said Journey Gunderson, Exec. Director.
Jamestown, NY (PRWEB) October 01, 2014
A full weekend of events, including a Welch's World Record Grape Stomp attempt and an evening of comedy with Bob Newhart, are set to take place Columbus Day Weekend in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, NY during the Lucy Town Half Marathon & 5K, October 11-12. The second annual Lucy Town Half Marathon & 5K is presented by Chautauqua Striders, Jamestown Savings Bank Arena and The Lucy Desi Museum & Center for Comedy. For information on all events taking place during the Lucy Town Half Marathon & 5K weekend, visit http://www.lucyrace.com or call 716.484.0800.
“Jamestown in the Fall is gorgeous. Chautauqua County is located in the Lake Erie Grape Region where we grow 60% of NY State’s annual grape tonnage. What a perfect time of year and place to break a world record with Concord-grapes, and laugh along with a comedy legend like Bob Newhart,” Said Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy and the upcoming National Comedy Center.
Among the Weekend Highlights are:
- Welch's World Record Grape Stomp Attempt (Saturday, October 11; noon)
Lucy fans and Grape Stompers from across the country will visit Jamestown to attempt to break the Guinness World Record for Most People Grape-Stomping (Oct. 11). For participants, it’s a chance to celebrate one of the most iconic comedy scenes in television history and the unique grape heritage of the region. Lucille Ball, a Jamestown native, stomped grapes in the famous “Lucy’s Italian Movie” episode of I Love Lucy, and Western New York is home to the largest grape-growing region east of the Rockies and oldest Concord-grape region in the world.
The current world record is held by a city in Northern Spain at 977, and a vat the size of a city block will be created for this event with 60 Tons of locally-grown Concord grapes filling the vat. The first 1,500 participants to sign up receive a purple commemorative bandana, a beer or soft drink, and 10% off Lucy Town gear with the $5 registration. Stompers who register before October 5th will have their $5 registration fee waived.
Groups of 10 or more will also receive a free official world record photo poster, and groups of 20 more will receive a poster and team/business photo in the Jamestown Post-Journal.
- An Evening of Comedy with Bob Newhart (Saturday, October 11; 8pm)
Comedy legend Bob Newhart is the featured performer of the 2014 Lucy Town Half Marathon & 5K weekend (Oct. 11, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts). Newhart, 2013 Primetime Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Professor Proton in the hit television show, The Big Bang Theory, continues to sell out concert halls for young and old throughout America. His 2014 live-performance Ticketmaster reviews refer to him as still among the best comedians of all time, and he was also named one of the Top 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time by Comedy Central. He has starred in two critically acclaimed long-running situation comedies, the 1970’s sitcom The Bob Newhart Show and the 1980’s sitcom Newhart.
- Run A 2K, 5K, or Half Marathon With Lucy!
The second annual Lucy Town Half Marathon & 5K will take place on Columbus Day weekend (Oct. 11-12). The weekend features a brand new kids run 2K (Oct. 11), as well as the popular 5K Run/Walk (Oct. 11) and half marathon (Oct. 12).
The USATF certified half-marathon course, which begins and ends in Jamestown, runs through the neighboring towns of Lakewood and Celoron. The course travels near the childhood home of Lucille Ball and by the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, the world’s largest I Love Lucy mural painted by artists Gary Peters Jr. and Sr., and the Lucille Ball Memorial Park. The 2014 Lucy Town Half Marathon is the USATF Niagara Half Marathon Championship.
- Hockey Is Back In Jamestown (Saturday, October 11; 2pm)
The Southern Tier Xpress will take on the Pittsburgh Vengeance at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena (Oct. 11). The Xpress are a locally-owned member of the NA3HL, and have begun their inaugural season in Jamestown, NY with a record of 5-1-0. Tickets available at http://www.jamestownarena.com.
- Enjoy Fall Colors and the Lake Erie Grape Region
When visitors aren’t running, laughing, or stomping grapes; Upstate New York in the Fall offers a unique opportunity to view some of nature’s greatest visuals as trees begin to change color and one of the world’s most renowned grape-growing regions is on view. Chautauqua County is located in the Lake Erie Grape Region, also known as America’s grape country. The area is both the oldest Concord grape growing region in the world, as well as the largest grape growing region in the country east of the Rockies.
The New York State portion of the grape region is home to more than 25 wineries and produces 60% of the state’s annual grape tonnage. For more information visit http://www.tourchautauqua.com.
Additional Information
Univera Healthcare is the presenting sponsor for the weekend’s events. Local support for the race weekend has also been provided by WCA Hospital, Jamestown Area Medical Associates, Jamestown Pediatric Associates, Shults Auto Group, The Legend Group, Northwest Savings Bank, Wegmans, Jamestown Primary Care, and Time Warner Cable News. The Grape Stomp is presented by Welch's and sponsored by Vineyard Group.
Lucy Town organizers are still seeking groups or individuals to serve as event volunteers. No running experience necessary as there are a wide variety of roles needed for the weekend event. Positions may be available for a wide array of skills and interest, ranging from registering participants and distributing information, to providing course side refreshments at water and food stations. For more information or to sign up, visit http://www.lucyrace.com.
# # #
For more information or to arrange interviews contact:
NATIONAL MEDIA: Barbara Pflughaupt - 212-707-8181
LOCAL/REGIONAL MEDIA: Steve Neilans - 716-484-0800
For high-resolution photos, visit http://www.lucy-desi.com/news/press-kit/
