MOORPARK : Fall Festival Being Reduced to 1 Day

Following a disappointing turnout at last year’s event, the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce has decided to change its annual “Country Days” festival from a weekend-long carnival into a one-day fair on High Street.

The fall festival had traditionally been a one-day event on High Street, featuring a parade and exhibit booths.

But the chamber decided last year to add carnival rides. Because the rides were too large to operate on High Street, the festival was moved to the athletic fields of the former high school on Casey Road.

The festival was also expanded from one to 2 1/2 days.

Despite the added attractions and longer running time, the event last year attracted just 10,000 visitors, only 2,000 more than the number who attended the one-day festival in 1990.

And because costs were higher, profits declined from $6,000 in 1990 to $4,500 in 1991.

This year the chamber plans to spend only $15,000, compared to the $30,000 in 1991, said Carol Hunt, executive director of the chamber. Hunt said the chamber hopes to rake in at least $6,000 in profits this year.

The festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 3. High Street will be closed to traffic to make room for the planned parade, musical entertainment, pony rides and other activities.

The decision to return “Country Days” to High Street has pleased merchants along the historic avenue who complained last year when the event was moved, Hunt said.