Street Fair to Offer Music, Food and Rides

Tens of thousands of people are expected to fill several blocks of Ventura Boulevard Friday through Sunday for the sixth annual Sherman Oaks Street Fair and Carnival.

The fair, sponsored by the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce, will feature more than 250 booths with arts, crafts and food for sale. Also planned are rides and games for children, magicians, a petting zoo, puppet shows, a glee club, belly dancers and musicians playing styles ranging from barbershop to Latin.

A special area for children will present movies on bicycle safety, a firetruck, dance recital, karate demonstration, science show and kiddie car race.

Ventura Boulevard will be closed to traffic between Van Nuys Boulevard and Kester Avenue on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. At around 1 p.m. that day, actor Joe Mantegna, who lives in Sherman Oaks and has been named honorary grand marshal of the fair, will present community awards.

Organizers expect 40,000 visitors. “Each year it gets bigger and better,” said Julie Russell, chamber executive director.

Admission and parking are free, as are shuttles to and from parking lots. Fees will be charged for carnival rides.

The carnival runs Friday from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The street fair will be Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Proceeds from the fair will benefit five Sherman Oaks elementary schools and community programs of the chamber.

For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at (818) 906-1951.

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Sherman Oaks Street Fair and Carnival

The Sherman Oaks Steet Fair and Carnival along Ventura Boulevard Friday through Sunday will feature more than 250 arts, crafts and educational booths, a food court, carnival and entertainment stages. Admission, parking and shuttles are free. A section of Ventura Boulevard will be closed Sunday for the street fair.

Los Angeles Times