Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a landmark that consists of more than 2,800 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California. The stars are monuments to achievement in the entertainment industry and bear the names of a mix of actors, filmmakers, musicians, inventors, businessmen, fictional characters, and more. The original idea for the Walk of Fame came in 1953, the first stars were unveiled in 1958, and the first permanent stars were placed in 1960. The Walk has been expanded on multiple fronts since then, including the number of stars displayed; categories, entities, and organizations honored; and blocks covered. The Walk deteriorated while it was expanded, and a long-term restoration plan began in 2008. The Walk of Fame is administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust. The Chamber collects fees from each new honoree's sponsor that fund the creation and installation of their star as well as maintenance for the Walk as a whole. The Chamber also owns the Walk's trademark and licensing rights. The Walk of Fame is one of Los Angeles's most popular tourist attractions, receiving an estimated ten million annual visitors in 2010. Attendance at new star unveilings can reach into the thousands and the Walk is also a popular site for memorials, tributes, and protests. Some of the Walk's entries are controversial, as is its overall state, which leaves many disappointed and has earned it several pejoratives. Despite this, the Walk's popularity has inspired other walks around the world.

Source: wikipedia