Fixin’s for the Fourth : Shoppers Cart Home Flags, Burgers, Chips and Beer for Holiday Barbecues

Michael Buckius said his wife told him not to come home without a flag.

So the Thousand Oaks insurance consultant found himself in Ventura on Monday afternoon, rummaging through an imposing selection at American Eagle Flags & Banners.

“She’s very patriotic,” he explained. “She wants to make sure we have an American flag.”

Buckius was just one of many shoppers across Ventura County who spent much of Monday gearing up for back-yard barbecues and holiday feasts.

Merchants selling the basics all reported brisk sales, and the owners of specialty shops such as American Eagle in Ventura and Barbeques Galore in Oxnard said this was their busiest weekend of the year.

“This is what Christmas would be like in a toy store,” said Carol Lanshe, who owns the American Eagle Flags & Banners shop on Main Street. “It started about two weeks ago, but it builds up and builds up.

“We’ve probably sold about 35 or 40 flags today alone,” she said.

Along California 126 in Fillmore, the only city in Ventura County where it is legal to buy fireworks, sales were more than brisk. They were hot.

“I just came up the highway and every one of those 21 booths had at least two dozen people in front of them,” said Hank Carrillo, executive director of the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce. “I’m not exaggerating.”

Inside Trader Joe’s on Victoria Avenue, shoppers were stocking up Monday on beer, chips and other barbecue favorites.

“It’s one of the few places where you can find good beer,” said Dan Sabath, who is visiting from Corvallis, Ore., and spent little time finding the gourmet shop.

Ventura businesswoman Karen Case bought 24 hand-sized American flags, two three-by-five-foot flags and some red, white and blue table skirts for a barbecue she is hosting this afternoon.

“It makes you cry and weep,” she said, looking over her purchases at American Eagle. “It’s wonderful to live in America.”

Stuart McDonald, who owns Barbeques Galore in Oxnard, said this is his busiest time of year.

“We’re selling everything from barbecues and parts to wood chips and propane,” he said. “I thought summer was never going to come.”

At the Oakdale Market on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, owner Charlie Weiss had doubled his stock of fresh meat in preparation for America’s favorite barbecuing holiday.

“That’s like the third go-round today,” Weiss said, nodding at the mounds of beef being carted off by customers.

Eddie Wolfley left the market loaded down with a slab of baby-back ribs, top sirloin and beef kabobs.

In addition to the mammoth quantities of meat, the Wolfley family barbecue will include Italian potato salad and stuffed mushrooms. With a cooking marathon in front of her, Wolfley probably won’t relax until the city starts its annual hillside fireworks show.

“Then I’m going to sit in the back yard and watch,” she said.

For many residents, Monday was a day to pick up that last-minute 12-pack of beer or giant watermelon.

Bill Gerrish had already done that. Keg of beer. Burgers and hot dogs for two dozen guests. Then he turned on his propane-fueled barbecue, only to be greeted by a suspicious, unwelcome smell.

“I’ve only got about 25 people coming over and we’ve got a leaky barbecue,” he said, standing in line at Zender’s Patio and Fireside Superstore in Thousand Oaks to replace the broken part.

The weather should cooperate, anyway, with forecasters calling for a sunny day with temperatures reaching into the 90s inland and high 70s along the coast.

“It should be a typical summer day,” said Vladimir Ryshko, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

But fog and low clouds will begin rolling in about the time fireworks displays are scheduled to light up Ventura County skies.

“There will be a chill,” Ryshko said.

McDonald is a Times correspondent and Pols is a Times staff writer. Correspondent Paul Elias also contributed to this report.

* FIREWORKS

Listings of Fourth of July celebration events, B9

Fourth of July Activities FILLMORE

Fillmore High School football field, 555 Central Ave.

Gates open: 6 p.m., entertainment 7 p.m.

Admission: Free

What you will see: A mostly aerial exhibition with some ground displays, including image of the American flag.

Number of shells in show: 286

Number of shells in finale: 110

Other events: Chili cook-off and car show in Central Park, starting at noon.

Information: 524-0351

MOORPARK

Family picnic: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring food booths, at Arroyo Vista Community Park.

OJAI

Nordhoff High School football field, 1401 Maricopa Highway.

Gates open: 4:30 p.m.

Admission: Pre-sale: $4 adults, $2 children and $10 family pass; at the door: $6 adults, $2 children

What you will see: Fireworks interspersed with patriotic music.

Number of shells in show: 426

Number of shells in finale: 150

Other events: Kids Freedom Run at 8:45 a.m., parade at 10 a.m.

Information: 649-2729 or 646-4295

OXNARD

Oxnard High School football field, 937 W. 5th St.

Gates open: 6 p.m. No seating after 8:45 p.m.

Admission: $5 adults, $2 children

What you will see: Mostly a ground display, backed by narration and patriotic music featuring the 50th anniversary of World War II and highlighted by a scene of Marines hoisting the flag on Iwo Jima. Some aerial fireworks are planned.

Number of shells in show: 283

Number of shells in finale: 140

Information: 385-7578

SANTA PAULA

George Harding Park, Harvard Boulevard.

Time: Dusk

Admission: Free

What you will see: Twenty-minute aerial display set to patriotic music.

Number of shells in show: 426

Number of shells in finale: 150

Other events: Circus Vargas, Teague Park, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Information: 525-6697

SIMI VALLEY

Simi Valley High School football field, 5400 Cochran St.

Gates open: 6 p.m. Entertainment includes sky divers and oldies band.

Admission: $6 adults, $3 children

What you will see: Mostly a ground display, backed by narration and patriotic music featuring the 50th anniversary of World War II and highlighted by a scene of Marines hoisting the flag on Iwo Jima. Some aerial fireworks are also planned.

Number of shells in show: 283

Number of shells in finale: 140

Other events: Concerts, dancing and games for children in the courtyard at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At 2 p.m., a U. S. Marine Corps band will perform.

Information: 584-4400

THOUSAND OAKS

The Oaks mall, 222 W. Hillcrest Drive.

Time: Dusk

Admission: Free

What you will see: Biggest show in Ventura County. Aerial show set to music should be visible throughout the Conejo Valley and east county.

Number of shells in show: 525

Number of shells in finale: 215

Other events: Nature walk in Wildwood Park at 7 a.m. Pancake breakfast at Borchard Park 8 to 11 a.m. Concert in Conejo Community Park at 5 p.m.

Information: 499-4355

VENTURA

Ventura College football field, 4667 Telegraph Road.

Gates open: 5 p.m.

Admission: Adults $8, children $5 (includes food booths, games and concerts)

What you will see: Aerial fireworks display set to patriotic music.

Number of shells in show: 242

Number of shells in finale: 140

Other events: Main Street fair, with more than 400 vendors’ booths and several bands performing downtown throughout the day. The Children’s Pushem-Pullem parade starts at 10:30 a.m. on Main Street.

Information: 648-1346