Rams Kick Off Season with Unique Hollywood Forever Viewing Party
As most of us know sometimes Hollywood is known for the unusual. The 2024 Los Angeles Rams opened the season on the road in Detroit NBC’s Sunday Night Football. For those that couldn’t make the trip the team hosted a viewing party at the world famous Hollywood Forever Cemetary.
Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
As most of us know sometimes Hollywood is known for the unusual. The 2024 Los Angeles Rams opened the season on the road in Detroit NBC’s Sunday Night Football. For those that couldn’t make the trip the team hosted a viewing party at the world famous Hollywood Forever Cemetary.
Since 2002 Thousands of people gather weekly on Fairbanks Lawn after sunset to watch classic Hollywood movies projected onto the side of a mausoleum. Visitors bring a picnic baskets whole meals and special beveragesto enjoy a unique experience.
On the NFL opening an estimated 5,000 Rams fans gathered at the venue to see the team just fall short of a win 26-20 in overtime.
“We try to create different experiences for everyone”, said Sara Shuler Vice President of Experiential Marketing for the LA Rams told Jaime Maggio of CBS sports. “This was the perfect time to do an event like this. It’s a one of a kind event as the team opened up on the road in Detroit.”
Rampage the team mascot was on hand and brought many smiles to the young and old. He was joined by Rams Cheerleaders and they had several giveaways for those in attendance including rally towels, sunglasses and t-shirts. Visitors also had an oppotunity tourchase new RAM gear.
Founded in 1899, Hollywood Forever National Cemetery in Los Angeles is the resting place for hundreds of Hollywood’s greatest luminaries. The cemetery has restored has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A Los Angeles institution that draws visitors from all over the world,
Since 2002, Hollywood Forever has teamed up with film organization Cinespia to produce outdoor classic film screenings each summer (May through September).
Thousands of people gather weekly on Fairbanks Lawn after sunset to watch classic Hollywood movies projected onto the side of a mausoleum. RAM fans brought in baskets whole meals, chairs to enjoy the unique experience.
“This is great “said Ramon Gonzales of Pico Rovera. “Its great to be in an environment and Its is a different than I imagined.”
Normally some outdoor screenings also feature pre-show DJs, themed photo booths, and sometimes a visit by the film’s stars, directors or filmmakers.
There are several events and festivals held there such as Dia de Los Muertos – the Day of the Dead. It is a holiday that remembers the lives of the deceased with food, drink and celebration. Our annual Dia de Los Muertos is a daylong festival that features gorgeous altars.
This is the first time a professional football or sports team has had a watch party there. Those who have a final resting place there include Rudolph Valentino, Mickey Rooney, Douglass Fairbanks, Julie Garland, Johnny DeDe Ramone and a world favorite Mel Blanc, who would become known as “The Man of a Thousand Voices,” began his which at the time was producing cartoon shorts for Warner Bros. In the decades to come, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, Foghorn Leghorn, Yosemite Sam, Speedy Gonzales, Marvin the Martian, Pepé Le Pew, Wile E. Coyote, the Road Runner, the Tasmanian Devil.
The another dynamic section is historic Masonic Lodge, first opened in 1927, is a gorgeous venue that host concerts, literary author evenings, live podcast tapings, story telling events, screenings, and other thoughtfully curated cultural events. The Masonic Lodge is also available for select private event rentals.
