CULVER CITY, Calif. – Celebrate the end of summer and the first week of school with a fiesta in Culver City.

Greg Guzzetta and Lizet Alvarez are taking in all their hard work as the finishing touches are put in place for Fiesta La Ballona, which is about to kick off. The festival has been hosted in the heart of Culver City since the 1950s.

“We always start at the Ferris wheel,” says Alvarez.

Alvarez grew up going to the carnival and now even brings her children here. She felt she had to volunteer her own time as an adult.

“I sort of live for Fiesta La Ballona, so do my friends and neighbors,” says Alvarez.

Her passion for her city is what fueled her to take on a strenuous task of working on Fiesta La Ballona and even bringing new features this year.

“We felt an app would be a great way to be sustainable and help with the communication so everybody is aware of what’s going on at any given moment,” says Alvarez.

The app tells you where to go and when. You can find performances, food options, a map, and more. For a list of entertainment click here.

Guzzetta also wanted to give back to his community by updating and upgrading these annual event.

“I wanted to take my experience of doing large events and help to design a better event for everybody,” says Guzzetta.

He added more shade this year, expanded the dining space, and even brought in a silent disco.

“The idea was to get more people to stay, spend more time, and enjoy a weekend in the park,” says Guzzetta.

The weekend event brings carnival rides, a beer garden, fair food, food trucks, entertainment, and more to Culver City for all generations to experience.

“It’s the joy that we see out of their faces and how you know its’ so meaningful to us. It’s a great experience to them. We get together as family, friends, and community and we never want it to end,” says Alvarez.

Fiesta La Ballona kicks off on August 23 at 4:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. It is open on August 24 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and August 2h from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Veterans Park. 

It is free to get in, but rides and food are available for purchase.

Culver City recommends taking your bike and parking in the festivals bike valet. If you live further, Uber and Lyft are recommended as well.

There will be no parking on site, but parking will be available at the Sony Lot with shuttle service to the park.