Camarillo Residents to Celebrate 30th Year of Cityhood With Barbecue

Hundreds of Camarillo residents are expected to celebrate the city’s 30th birthday today at a bash at Los Primeros School.

The event is being held to commemorate the city’s incorporation Oct. 22, 1964, but there will be no formal speeches or displays of memorabilia. Instead, a quieter, more low-key event is planned, said city spokeswoman Chris Sanborn.

“We wanted this to be just a nice, fun family kind of event,” Sanborn said. “We have intentionally tried to emphasize the fun and de-emphasize the history and politics.”

On tap for the afternoon event will be a tri-tip barbecue with all of the trimmings. Hot dogs and soft drinks also will be available, Sanborn said.

Camarillo City Councilwoman Charlotte Craven will co-host the party with Councilman Stan Daily at the elementary school at 2222 E. Ventura Blvd. The celebration is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

The $4.50 advance admission price includes a complete tri-tip dinner. A limited number of $6 tickets will be available at the door.

Craven said the city decided to commemorate the anniversary with a family-oriented event.

“It is a milestone,” Craven said. “We have come a long way as a city, and we all should be proud of our accomplishments. But, because it’s not a big anniversary like a 25th or a 50th, we wanted to keep it low-key.”

The only official event will be a cake-cutting, led by Mayor Ken Gose and the rest of the City Council, at 6 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. The three-tier confection was donated for the event by a local bakery.

City Manager Bill Little said the event is designed to be easy on the pocketbook, too.

“Aside from the admission price, everything else will be free to the public--birthday cake, music and city shuttle buses,” Little said. “We want this to be an occasion where everyone in the community can participate.”

Sanborn said the Camarillo Community Band will offer musical selections throughout the afternoon until 6:30 p.m., when a disc jockey will play recorded ‘60s dance music. A local dance group, “Fresh Chances for America,” also will perform throughout the day. The party is scheduled to conclude at 9:30 p.m.

Party-goers also will be able to view a display of vintage cars--all manufactured in 1964 and owned by Camarillo residents.

Because of limited parking at the Ventura Boulevard school, the city will shuttle party-goers to and from the event from three parking areas around the city.

The free buses will run every 15 minutes from the Camarillo Metrolink Station on Lewis Road at Ventura Boulevard, the Ponderosa Shopping Center and the Carmen Plaza shopping center. The bus service is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. and end at 10 p.m., Sanborn said.

FYI

Camarillo’s 30th birthday celebration will be held today starting at 4 p.m. on the grounds of Los Primeros School, 2222 Ventura Blvd. Tickets are $4.50 in advance and $6 at the door.