VENTURA : Beach Party to Charge Admission

Ventura’s annual California Beach Party won’t be a free event this year, city officials have decided.

The two-day affair, which drew 20,000 people each day last year, will be enclosed by a fence this year with three gates where admission will be charged, said Faye Campbell, the city’s special events coordinator.

Tickets at the gates will be $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and no charge for children 12 and under. Prior to the April 25-26 event, tickets will be on sale for $3 and $1.

Planners of the event hope to reduce disruptions and the amount of alcohol brought onto the festival grounds, especially by minors. Campbell said coolers will be examined and no one will be allowed to bring alcohol onto the premises.

“We will have beer gardens that will be carefully controlled,” she said.

Last year two fights occurred during the beach party, Ventura Police Lt. Steve Bowman said. The second incident, which occurred as the event was ending, was started by a 16-year-old male who had been drinking, Bowman said. A couple of arrests were made and a police officer injured his knee in the incident.

Another reason for instituting the admission fee is to provide additional funds for the city, Campbell said.

“The event doesn’t pay for itself,” she said. “In the past it was a gift the city could give, but it’s a gift the city can no longer afford.”

She said the admission fee might deter some people from attending the event, but that a drop in attendance would be OK with city officials.

“Each year it’s grown,” she said. “Last year it was packed. We could use a few less people.”

The changes, she said, are aimed at making the seventh annual party more family oriented. This year’s event will include a children’s entertainment area with puppet shows and art activities.

The event’s theme is based on a beach party from the ‘50s and ‘60s, with music from those eras. About 70 concessionaires are expected to line the beachfront promenade selling food, clothing and beach-related items. Also scheduled are a 10-kilometer foot race, biathlon, surfing, volleyball and sand sculpture competitions, and a vintage convertible show.

The deadline for vendor booth applications is March 16.