Fiesta La Ballona -- a Party in the Park -- will be held this weekend, August 28, 29 & 30, in Veteran's Park in Culver City. With carnival rides, live music, games, a food court, and a beer and wine garden for the adults, there'll be good times for all.

Admission to the fiesta is free. Live entertainment on the stage is also free. Food, drinks, rides and other attractions cost extra. Ride tix are $1.00 each, with discounts for purchase of 20 or more. Rides vary in number of tickets required with many needing 4-5 tickets per ride. Wrist bands are available for unlimited rides on Saturday and Sunday only until 6:00 p.m. 

The carnival rides start Friday at 5:00 pm. On Saturday, the festivities begin at 11 am and continue until 10 pm. On Sunday, the rides open at 11 am and close at 9 pm.

The Sony Parking Structure offers ample free parking for Fiesta visitors. It is located one-half block north of the Culver/Overland intersection. Enter the Sony lot from Overland and turn right into the parking structure. 

"Fiesta La Ballona Days" began in 1951 as a week-long celebration of the region's early settlers. People went to events - and even to work! - dressed up as Native American Indians, rancheros, señoritas, cowboys and cowgirls. The early fiestas evoked pride among the descendants of the "first families." Today's it's still a chance to connect with and celebrate the city's past and present.

Come celebrate one and all! And please share your memories of Fiestas past in the comments!

Veteran's Park is located at 4117 Overland Avenue, at the intersection of Overland and Culver Boulevard, in Culver City.