Beach Party Tunes Into ‘60s Music

California Beach Party ‘89, two days of entertainment and sporting events sponsored by the city of Ventura at San Buenaventura State Beach, will draw more than 20,000 people this weekend, city officials said.

The kickoff Friday night will feature Papa-Doo-Run-Run, a ‘60s singing group specializing in the California music of the Beach Boys and Jan & Dean. Gates open at 4 p.m.; the concert will begin at 7 p.m. The $5 entry fee includes parking. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets, jackets, flashlights, pack a picnic or eat at the on-site food booths.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, party-goers can twist and boogie their way down Ventura’s beachfront Promenade at the end of California Street as singing groups bring back sounds reminiscent of the old Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon beach movies.

Those events are free. Free parking is available at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, with a free shuttle running along Harbor Boulevard between the San Buenaventura State Beach Park and the Promenade.

Singing groups Saturday include Joe Cool and the Rumblers, the Velveteens, the Convertibles and the Tim Buley Band. Kal David and the Tones will perform with Sha-na-na and Johnny Rivers. Popular Demand, a family singing group, will perform Saturday afternoon.

Lifeguards to Perform

On Sunday, a group of local lifeguards called the Ray Band will perform, along with the Inside Group. Other groups include Surf City, Big Daddy, the Reverbs and Quatrain.

Three major sporting events will include a windsurfing contest, a volleyball tournament and a 10K, 5K, one-mile jog/walk and a mini-triathlon.

The windsurfing contest and the beach volleyball tournament will be held both days. The windsurfing contest is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Channel Islands Monument. The volleyball tournament will be staged from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the beach at San Pedro Street.

The mini-triathlon will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at the state beach picnic area. That event will include a 1.5-mile run, an eight-mile bike ride and end with a 1.5-mile run. The 10K, 5K and one-mile jog/walk, which drew 555 participants last year, will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday at the west end of the Promenade at the fairgrounds.

Other events Saturday include a softball tournament from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the beach east of the pier, and a sandcastle contest from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., also at the pier. On Sunday, a kite flying contest is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the pier.