All’s Fair Today on Ventura Blvd.

They call it the biggest thing to hit Ventura Boulevard since the earthquake.

A half-mile strip of the San Fernando Valley’s main thoroughfare will be closed to traffic today, jammed with an expected 40,000 visitors and tended by 1,000 volunteers and more than 200 vendors.

It’s the sixth annual Sherman Oaks Street Fair and Carnival--a community celebration that has become the lifeblood of fund-raising for five elementary schools and the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce.

Today’s event, which caps the annual carnival that began Friday, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. But it is more like a three-day marathon for organizers and a giant block party for hundreds of volunteers.

The major sweeping and setup was to begin at 4 a.m. today, when the street is cordoned off between Van Nuys Boulevard and Kester Avenue. And the last of the volunteers expect to straggle home around midnight.

“It’s like putting on a circus,” said Phyllis Scher, in her second year as voluntary chair of the event. “The most fun will be from 10 to 11 [tonight], after it’s over. We’ll all be out in the street, pushing brooms. It’s a great thing to see.”

“We’re throwing a big party,” beamed Carrie Konjoyan, chamber president. “Setting it up and tearing it down all in one day.” She predicts proceeds will reach $30,000, bringing the event’s six-year total to more than $100,000.

About 200 volunteers were at work on Saturday--mostly parents from the schools, accompanied by their children, and teachers. They were assigned tasks ranging from parking control to carnival ticket sales and trash clearance.

“This is turning into the major fund-raiser of the year for our schools,” said Nancy Jacobs, director of volunteers, as she handed out assignments. At Kester Elementary, funds have been accumulating for six years to eventually build a computer lab.

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Marilyn Hooper and Joy Senko, teachers from Chandler and Riverside Drive elementary schools, said funds are used for field trips, security measures, intercom equipment and repairs to the copying machine. The fund-raising “is vital, essential,” said Hooper, as she filled out name badges.

Chloe Rubenstein, another teacher, was in charge of parking and waste management. As she doled out disposable gloves to team members, Rubenstein explained that Chandler Elementary uses the proceeds to purchase computer software and textbooks.

The street today will be divided into five sections, with two leaders to each section, and each of those with six to eight assistants. Los Angeles police will be there, both in uniform and plainclothes. There will also be teams of emergency medical personnel.

Even the Navy and the Marines are coming, and bringing a Humvee military vehicle.

Live entertainment will be on stage at the west end of the fair, near Kester Avenue, and activities for children will be at the east end, at Van Nuys Boulevard. The carnival and midway are in the center, at Cedros Avenue. Free parking and shuttle service is available at the Sherman Oaks Galleria at Sepulveda and Ventura boulevards.

“This is the biggest event to ever close Ventura Boulevard, except maybe for the pipe bursting and the earthquake,” said Konjoyan. “Better wear a hat and sun block.”