Crowd Savors Fiesta Day Flavor at Fair

Salsa was all the rage--in dance and on food--as Mexican culture was celebrated Sunday at the Ventura County Fair, demonstrating this year’s theme, “The World’s a Stage.”

The annual Fiesta Day--which normally draws some of the fair’s largest crowds--was again bursting with color and flavor this year. Organizers estimated that nearly 30,000 people attended Seaside Park’s south-of-the-border celebration this weekend that featured Latino dance, music and food.

Folklorico and salsa dance shows, strolling mariachi bands, and tamales to rival the corn dog as the favorite fair food added spice to the county fairgrounds. It was a place Sunday where no one thought twice about starting up a very-American line dance to distinctly Mexican tunes.

“It all meshes together,” said Nellie Jasso of Oxnard. Fiesta Day “is a positive thing. People enjoy the food, entertainment and environment even if it’s not part of their culture.”

Sharon Brewen listened to a banda group--whose sound is a Mexican version of rock music--perform at one of the festival stages as she ate a chicken taco.

“I love tacos,” said the Oxnard resident, adding that Fiesta Day’s importance exceeded the culinary. “It should be a big part of the fair; half the people in my town are of that nationality, so it should be recognized.”

Indeed, organizers have increasingly given Fiesta Day more exposure since it was added to the century-old fair’s lineup in 1981.

Three years ago, Fiesta Day’s popularity caused organizers to move it from the last day to the first Sunday of the 12-day fair.

“By not waiting until closing day to incorporate events for the Hispanic community, we are able to appeal to a large percentage of that community who may not have come on other days,” said fair publicist Devlin Raley.

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In 1995, Fiesta Day attracted 32,000 people, the highest attendance of the fair’s run. The next year, it was the second biggest draw, just 140 short of the previous year’s total. Last year, it was again the second busiest day, with more than 29,000 people attending.

Another strong turnout for Fiesta Day this year, Raley said, proves that the event’s popularity extends beyond race or ethnicity.

Sunday’s weather was postcard perfect, offering bright sunny skies and high temperatures near 80 degrees. Forecasters warned of a threat of stormy weather today, however.

“Leftover moisture from the old Tropical Storm Frank means there is a chance of thunderstorms over the whole county,” said WeatherData Inc. meteorologist Jeff House. “While the mountains have a better chance of seeing the rain, there is still a chance it will roll off and head to the coast in the afternoon.”

House said fair-goers should expect variably cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-70s today.

Ray Porras and his wife, Rickie, both wearing cowboy hats and boots, took in a mariachi concert while enjoying a tamale lunch Sunday.

“We like the music and rhythm, regardless who the performers are,” Ray Porras said. “This is great that everyone can get together at the fair--Filipino, African-American--and see we come from other cultures, but we’re all Americans.”

From Polish sausage to Chinese food, line dancing to cha-cha, the Oxnard couple said the fair offers a variety of experiences they enjoy.

“We’ll try a little bit of everything,” Ray Porras said.

Mario Ruiz, who led an eight-member mariachi band, said the music’s combination of string instruments and horns makes a unique sound that crosses cultural barriers.

“The words tell a story in the song about an event that really happened way back in Mexico and reminds people of their old towns,” Ruiz said. “For Americans who listen, they like to hear something different. There are no electric chords; this is handmade music.”

Deizely Santana, 14, was one of a group of Oxnard children who performed folklorico dance in brightly colored, flowing dresses. The dancers wear long, dangling metal earrings and adorn their hair with ribbons and feather plumes. Their shoes are topped with clicking shells.

“It’s fun to share your culture and wear all the pretty costumes,” she said.

But educating the audience about her history is not Deizely’s only motivation to dance: “They don’t have to learn anything as long as they enjoy watching it.”

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Today at the Fair

Here’s a look at what’s happening at the Ventura County Fair today, which is Pepsi Family Day:

* Carnival wristband: unlimited rides noon to 6 p.m. for $14.

* Seaside Park opens 11 a.m.

MONDAY, AUG. 10

11 a.m.: Seaside Park Opens

11 a.m.: Sasaki Kenpo Karate Pepsi Community Stage

11:30 a.m.: Tim the Magic Guy Children’s Dell

11:30 a.m.: Phil Shane (tribute singer) Star Stage

11:30 a.m.: Special Effects Makeup by Stevens Youth Expo Studios

11:30 a.m.: Breeze 105.5-FM welcomes Exotic Porker Flats Animal Encounter

11:30 a.m.: Duke & Dolly Dolphin Strolling

11:30 a.m.: BC Characters Strolling

11:30 a.m.: Too Too Tomato Strolling

12:30 p.m.: Rainbow Magic Show Children’s Dell

12:30 p.m.: Steven Lord (guitarist-vocalist) Agriculture

12:30 p.m.: Gene West’s Wonderful Working Toys Youth Expo in Wood

1 p.m.: Sounds from the Earth Pepsi Community Stage

1 p.m.: World Equine Beauty Pageant Morgan Arena

1 p.m.: Phil Shane (tribute singer) Star Stage

1 p.m.: On Your Mark, Cook Creative Living

1:30 p.m.: Tim the Magic Guy Children’s Dell

1:30 p.m.: Special Effects Makeup by Stevens Youth Expo Studios

1:30 p.m.: Breeze 105.5-FM welcomes Exotic Porker Flats Animal Encounter

1:30 p.m.: Steven Lord (guitarist-vocalist) Agriculture

2 p.m.: Balloonacy Strolling

2:30 p.m.: Phil Shane (tribute singer) Star Stage

2:30 p.m.: Sherri Kerman: Story time Uncle Leo’s Barn

2:30 p.m.: Rainbow Magic Show Children’s Dell

3 p.m.: Barn Talk Uncle Leo’s Barn

3 p.m.: Steven Lord (guitarist-vocalist) Youth Expo

3:30 p.m.: Tim the Magic Guy Children’s Dell

3:30 p.m.: Breeze 105.5-FM welcomes Exotic Porker Flats Animal Encounter

3:30 p.m.: Too Too Tomato Strolling

3:30 p.m. Special Effects Makeup by Stevens Youth Expo Studios

4 p.m.: Phil Shane (tribute singer) Star Stage

4 p.m.: Lillian Barrett Singers Pepsi Community Stage

4-6 p.m.: High School Drama Youth Expo

4:30 p.m.: Too Too Tomato Children’s Dell

5:30 p.m.: Breeze 105.5-FM welcomes Exotic Porker Flats Animal Encounter

5:30 p.m.: Rainbow Magic Show Children’s Dell

5:30 p.m.: Hypnotist Susan Rosen Pepsi Community Stage

6 p.m.: Barn Talk: Ben McNary & Hank, Uncle Leo’s Barn This Racking Horse

6:30 p.m.: Steven Lord (guitarist-vocalist) Youth Expo

6:30 p.m.: Jill Johnson Dance Studio Pepsi Community Stage

7 p.m.: Memo (Latin music) Star Stage

7:30 p.m.: KOCP 95.9 The Octopus welcomes Grandstand Arena The Doobie Brothers

8:30 p.m.: Vocal Chords (barbershop harmonies) Pepsi Community Stage

9 p.m.: Memo (Latin music) Star Stage

9:30 p.m.: Vocal Chords (barbershop harmonies) Pepsi Community Stage

9:30 p.m.: Fireworks

10 p.m.: Exhibit and commercial buildings close