OXNARD : City to Keep Ties to Strawberry Festival
Oxnard will continue to sponsor the annual Strawberry Festival, the City Council decided Tuesday against the advice of City Manager Vernon G. Hazen.
In a report to the City Council, Hazen recommended that the city’s sponsorship could be replaced by that of a private or nonprofit organization to spare the city from the financial risk of bankrolling the $550,000 event.
The festival, Oxnard’s most popular attraction, posted a $51,000 profit last year.
But Hazen and Councilman Michael Plisky warned the council that the city could suffer serious losses if rain or other mishaps affected attendance.
Despite these objections, the council voted 4 to 1 to continue sponsoring the festival.
“The Strawberry Festival is the single thing I’m most proud of in this city,” Councilwoman Dorothy Maron said. “I think the city should continue its association with the event.”
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