Senior Couples Renew Vows, Take the Cake

It seemed too sad for the usually upbeat renewal of wedding vows that takes place yearly on senior citizens day at the Ventura County Fair.

After 10 elderly couples had stepped or been wheeled up and re-plighted their troth under a flower-laden bower, Anatoliusz and Maria Skwara were called. But only Anatoliusz approached the bower. He took the renewal vows alone.

“How romantic and how sad,” whispered one bystander. Since the sole requirement for taking part in the renewal ceremony was 40 years of marriage, many assumed that Skwara was bravely going it alone in his wife’s memory.

“Oh, no,” said Skwara after he retook his folding chair in the outdoor audience. “She does have diabetes, but the only reason she’s not here is she just can’t stand up for long periods of time. She told me, ‘Go, go, and bring me back some cake.’ ”

He took home a piece of the wedding cake served after the event.

Also eating cake were Ventura residents Glenn and Ruby Harris, 94 and 93 respectively, in celebration of their 75th wedding anniversary. “We got married in 1922 in

Santa Ana, but Glenn was only 19 and he was supposed to be 21,” said Ruby Harris, seated at her husband’s side. “So he lied about his age.”

The couple’s son, Albert, and daughter-in-law, Ventura Councilwoman Rosa Lee Measures, were on hand to watch the Harrises repeat their vows for the 10th straight year.

Bob Haines of Ventura gave his wife of 67 years such a kiss after their vows that her hat flew off. The audience roared.

And Leonard and Vi Johnson of Moorpark celebrated what will be 45 years of marriage Friday in matching denim shirts.

“We always dress alike--it’s easier to keep track of each other,” the Johnsons said in unison.

It was all part of the Ventura County Fair’s annual salute to senior citizens and people with disabilities, with all eligible for free admission.

It was a day in which motorized scooters, walkers and wheelchairs outnumbered baby strollers.

Charles Schlosser, 75, of Ventura uses his scooter “when I go to something like this or the grocery store. I can’t stand up long.”

One of the bigger draws of the day was the Embroiderers Guild of America exhibit in the Creative Arts building, where members were making sure that such stitchery as needlepoint, cross-stitch, Japanese embroidery, bargello (Italian embroidery), hardanger (Norwegian embroidery) and blackwork (Spanish embroidery) do not become lost arts.

Residents of the Victorian Care Center turned out in full force to admire the 141 ribbons that the residents, a number in their 80s and 90s, had earned for themselves in everything from braided cardamom bread to decorated cakes and Christmas decorations. Frances Caldwell took home 14 ribbons at age 86.

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It is special events like senior day that organizers said have put the fair on track toward being one of the most successful in several years.

As of Monday night, 140,131 people passed through the gates to enjoy the celebration’s food, fun and entertainment, a more than 9% increase over last year, said fair publicist Teri Raley.

“I’d like to think it’s because of my job, but that probably isn’t true,” Raley said. “I’d have to say it’s the weather and all the great entertainment.”

Last weekend alone, more than 64,000 people flooded Seaside Park’s wide asphalt thoroughfares and grandstand arenas for spins on rides like the Zipper, to take in a concert, enjoy heaping plates of tri-tip or gawk at agrarian oddities like the 200-pound pumpkin and waist-high zucchinis.

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Carnies said that lines have been long and steady for their bevy of rides, and the tons of stuffed animals and kitschy novelties trucked in for the gaming booths are quickly dwindling.

And Bob Rinehart, who operates two light-spangled food booths along the midway, said business has been great. He has been going through 150 pounds of corn dog batter and 100 pounds of popcorn a day to keep up with the hordes of hungry carnival-goers.

With parking space at the fair limited to about 2,000, many have relied on Metrolink, which has expanded its service to Chatsworth, to take them to the county’s annual bash.

Although Metrolink scaled back the number of trains it has running to the fair from 12 to seven, officials said the service has been popular with those who reside in the county’s hinterlands.

Last weekend, more than 13,000 climbed on board for the trip.

Others have used the various parking lots around town and free shuttle service.

Unlike past years, when the fair has had to overcome some minor problems with train schedules and traffic snarls, organizers said this year’s fair has, so far, gone off without a hitch.

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With thousands of people jamming the 62-acre grounds on a daily basis, security has been of paramount concern to police charged with keeping the fair safe and friendly for the thousands more expected to attend during the next six days.

But according to Lt. Roger Nustad, there has been little for officers to do besides circulate.

“There really hasn’t been anything going on,” Nustad said. “Even with the large attendance it’s all been going along really smooth.”

Although fair attendance hasn’t set a record-setting pace so far, organizers said that’s never the point. For them, it wouldn’t matter if only a handful showed up, just as long as they had fun.

“I just hope the next six days are just like the first,” Raley said. “Just lots of good weather and lots of happy people.”