Oxnard’s Fireworks Plans Fizzle This Fourth of July

If your Fourth of July plans include an evening jaunt to Oxnard, don’t bother looking to the sky.

For the first time in more than 15 years, the city will fail to host a holiday fireworks show, much to the disappointment of longtime residents.

But patriotic party-goers need not stay home: The skies above Ventura County will still light up with impressive displays of firepower.

More than 500 skyrockets will blaze overhead in Thousand Oaks during a 30-minute show, while Camarillo will host a 20-minute event with 600 to 650 shells.

Ojai will culminate its Independence Day celebration with a 23-minute fireworks display at the Nordhoff High School stadium.

While other fireworks shows have struggled and scaled back over the years because of tight budgets, the Ojai event has continued to grow.

“Just have faith in the community, and the money will come,” said Pat Bushman, a member of Ojai’s Independence Day Committee.

If only it were that easy everywhere.

In Oxnard, the Fourth of July Planning Committee had to scrap this year’s event when it couldn’t scrape together enough money for insurance.

The committee had intended to move the celebration from Oxnard High School to the Channel Islands Harbor.

In previous years, the city of Oxnard and the Oxnard High School District helped provide the insurance to host the show at the high school.

But this year, with the event being moved off school property, committee Chairman Michael Koutnik said he discovered months into the planning process that the harbor would require a $10-million insurance policy.

That was $8 million more than expected, based on last year’s policy, Koutnik said.

It would cost the committee $10,000 to get $10-million coverage, he said, almost as much as the fireworks themselves.

Furthermore, the paperwork for insurance and county permits would take weeks to push through the system.

About a month ago, Koutnik said he decided to cancel the show despite having already booked a pyrotechnics company and secured some funding from city, county, and private sources.

Many Oxnard residents say they are angry, calling the decision to go without a Fourth of July fireworks show a blow to the community.

“It’s the little things that are important to people,” said Steve Buratti, chairman of the city’s Inter-Neighborhood Council Committee. “It gives you a sense of community, seeing your neighbors at these things.”

Koutnik said he is among those who are disappointed. But he said the tradition should resume next year.

“We have all the pieces,” Koutnik said. “We just need to make sure we have everything in place.”

In the meantime, cities across Ventura County will offer a range of alternatives.

In Ojai, the Independence Day Committee will host its 35th annual Fourth of July festivities, starting with a Thursday evening barbecue and concert, and ending with Friday night fireworks.

In 1962, the celebration’s founder had a budget of $400, enough to stage a parade.

The event has since grown into a two-day, $30,000 production, featuring concerts, baseball and fireworks. But its organizing committee of 16 volunteers works to keep the celebration’s small-town feel.

Late Thursday night and very early Friday morning, committee co-chair Lea Harvey expects residents to line the parade route with their chairs, even though the parade won’t start until 10 a.m.

It’s part of the tradition, she said.

“The people in the community can always expect their families to come home for the Fourth,” Harvey said. “It’s the kind of celebration that draws the family back together again.”

Correspondent Chris Chi contributed to this story.

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Independence Day Fireworks

Most events are Friday with the exception of Moorpark’s festivities, which will be held Thursday night.

CAMARILLO

Camarillo Airport, 229 Durley Ave.

* Gates open: 2 p.m.

* Admission: Free

* What you will see: A 20-minute fireworks show.

* Number of shells in show: 600-650

* Other events: magicians, five bands, games for kids, Confederate Air Force flying demonstration and aircraft display.

FILLMORE

Fillmore High School football field, 555 Central Ave.

* Gates open: 6 p.m., entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m.

* Admission: Free

* What you will see: More than 30 minutes of fireworks.

* Number of shells: 260

* Other events: car show, horseshoe tournament, arts and crafts, music and chili cook-off in the Historic Downtown Business District.

* Information: 524-0351

MOORPARK (Thursday, July 3)

Arroyo Vista Community Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road

* Gates open: 7 p.m.

* Admission: Free

* What you will see: “Rock and Roll Mania,” a concert featuring the Hodads, preceding a 20-minute fireworks show.

* Number of shells in show: 226

* Information: 531-9100

OJAI

Nordhoff High School stadium, 1401 Maricopa Highway

* Gates open: 4 p.m.

* Admission: $4 adult, $6 at the door, $10 pre-sale family pass

* What you will see: A 23-minute fireworks show.

* Number of shells in show: More than 350

* Other events: Lions Club breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m.; 9.a.m., one-mile and half-mile run for kids, followed by a parade at 10 a.m. ending at Sarzotti Park. Music and entertainment will continue into the afternoon.

* Information: 646-4295

Libbey Bowl, Signal Street and Ojai Avenue

* Channel Islands Symphony Orchestra will host a 6 p.m. concert at Libbey Bowl. Ventura County Channelaires will perform a pre-concert show: $10 adults pre-sale, $13 at the gate, free for youth 17 and under who attend with a parent.

* Information: 497-1902

SANTA PAULA

Veterans Memorial Park, Ventura Street and S. 10th Street

* Gates open: Dusk

* Admission: Free

* What you will see: 30-minute fireworks display

* Number of shells in show: Not available

* Other events: 11 a.m. festivities include food booths, games and live music all day. Contests for best decorated bicycle and tricycle in five age divisions. Antique plane display, trolley and airplane rides and petting zoo.

* Information: 525-6697

SIMI VALLEY

Simi Valley High School football field, 5400 Cochran St.

* Gates open: 2:30 p.m., show begins at 7:30 p.m.

* Admission: Advance tickets, $6 for adults, $3 for children; at the door, $7 for adults, $5 for children.

* What you will see: Skydivers followed by a “pyro-musical,” an aerial display accompanied by music and narration. Show will also feature a ground exhibition.

* Number of shells in show: 229

* Other Thursday events: Concerts at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum starting at 10 a.m. with a 1st Division Marine Band from Camp Pendleton performing at 2:30 p.m.

* Information: 584-4400

THOUSAND OAKS

The Oaks mall parking lot, 222 W. Hillcrest Drive

* Gates open: 9 p.m.

* Admission: Free

* What you will see: 30-minute fireworks show accompanied by patriotic music program.

* Number of shells in show: 537

* Other events: a day of holiday activities including a nature walk, pancake breakfast, home-run derbies for men, women and seniors.

* Information: 381-2747

Conejo Community Park, 165 W. Jeaunine Drive

* Conejo Pops Orchestra will perform a traditional salute to the Fourth of July. Beginning at 5 p.m., the show will feature the Sherwood Singers.

* Information: 381-2747

VENTURA

Ventura College football field, 4667 Telegraph Road

* Gates open: 5 p.m.

* Admission: $8 adults, $5 children under 12, discounted tickets available at Vons and McDonald’s.

* What you will see: 30-minute pyro-spectacular fireworks show preceded by food, games and entertainment, including the Johnny Olin Band. Kazoos will be sold for those wishing to participate in the Kazoo Band and family sing-along.

* Number of shells in show: Not available

* Information: 642-6797

Main Street, downtown

* 22nd annual Ventura Street Fair, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., downtown Ventura. Food, music, 400 artisans and children’s “Old McDonald’s Farm”-theme parade from Hemlock to Chestnut streets; free.

* Information: 654-7830

The Dudley House, corner of Ashwood and Loma Vista

* Open house at 1892 Victorian farmhouse, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Event will include display of classic Ford Thunderbirds and art exhibits. Tours are available. Free.

* Information: 644-3286