Visitors Discover That Controversy Can Be Fair Game

The grease in the corn dog vats isn’t the only thing sizzling at the Ventura County Fair.

A designated free-speech area at the front gate offers a sideshow attraction, where an eclectic group of political and social activists engages fairgoers in heated debates.

There aren’t soapboxes, but a string of tables where anyone with an opinion and a fair-issued permit can set up shop. Conservatism is the trend this year, with the most visible groups advocating bans on gay marriages and abortions.

“One man, one woman only! Say ‘no’ to same-sex marriage!” shouts John Page as he solicits people to sign a petition that would put a Defense of Marriage Act initiative on the California ballot.

The Ventura resident normally gathers signatures at area stores, gas stations and churches, but his biggest audience has been the fair, where a few hundred thousand people pass through the gates over 12 days. So far, more than 2,000 fairgoers have signed the petition, he said, but at least as many have thumbed their noses.

“People can get very vocal,” Page said. “They call me a homo-phobe and I just smile and tell them they’re a hetero-phobe.”

Fair officials are not eager to tout the free-speech area as an added attraction to the carnival, midway and exhibition halls. Aware of the possibly controversial nature of some groups’ messages, officials quietly offer limited space out of deference to the 1st Amendment on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Free speech is part of our society, so it’s at the fair too. It’s something we need to do since we’re a public place,” said fair general manager Michael Paluszak. “I’m not saying they are bad messages, but it’s just not part of the show. We allow it because we have to.”

Besides the marriage and anti-abortion groups, there were tables this week that promoted a Christian campground and solicited donations for a children’s AIDS hospice.

“I’m surprised more people aren’t taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity to have a safe environment to voice their opinions,” said Rebecca Voore of Oak View, who was dispensing information on the values of the Rancho del Rey Christian Center. “I know it’s our right, but I feel it’s very big-hearted of the fair to allow this free-speech area.”

The fair has placed guidelines on the speakers, prohibiting them from pursuing or touching fairgoers, setting limits on the size of signs and barring any sound devices.

The speakers admit there have been a few hostile moments, but they say the atmosphere has generally been positive. Fair officials said no one has protested their presence.

“I’m sure if the presenters were less decorous or professional as they are, we’d hear a lot more complaints,” fair publicist Devlin Raley said. “It’s very appropriate the fair lets people publicly express their opinions in a civilized way. As a child of the ‘60s . . . I feel strongly that people take a stand on issues and speak their mind.”

Jason Richards of Ventura walked past the free-speech area with his wife and young daughter and didn’t mind the barrage of ideas and signs.

“It’s a good idea, unless they start harassing you and acting like salesmen,” Richards said. “The signs that say what they’re doing is all they need. If they tried to get us to come to their table, I’d just keep walking.”

Voore said in-your-face solicitation is not her style.

“This is entirely non-intrusive,” she said. “I don’t wander from my table to recruit. If they have an interest, they come to me.”

Though generally conservative in nature, organizations at the close-quartered tables sometimes compete with one another.

Kevin Campbell of Oxnard stopped to sign the anti-gay marriage petition, but refused to sign the anti-abortion one at the next table.

“If I sign at one booth and not another, it’s my right, just like the yeses have a right to have a booth next to the nos,” Campbell said. “But we do all have to be good neighbors.”

Glenn Anderson of Oxnard stopped to look at the tables but decided to pass on lending his support to their causes.

“If they feel so strongly about it to be here, let them campaign--this is America,” he said. “But what they have to say won’t change my opinion.”

One senior citizen approached the defense of marriage booth after hearing Page bellow “No same sex marriage!”

“I’m over 80 and let me tell you my theory of life,” said Clarence Freeman of Fillmore as he leaned in over the table covered with clipboards and petitions where Page sat. “Let people live and let live. This is the United States.”

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Today at the Fair

Here’s a look at what’s happening at the Ventura County Fair today, which is Junior Livestock Auction Day:

* Seaside Park opens 11 a.m.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14

9 a.m.: Auction begins

Order of sale: Grand & Reserve Grand Chicken pens, Steers, Replacement Heifers, Bred Heifers, Swine, Grand & Reserve Grand Rabbit Pens, Lambs, Goats

11 a.m.: Seaside Park Opens

All Day: Carriage, Draft & Friesian Horse Show Morgan Arena

11 a.m.-10 p.m.: Cheri Scarbrough: Handmade Beads Gems & Minerals

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

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

11:30 a.m.: Shanachie (Irish folk music) Pepsi Community Stage

Noon: Cheryl Roth (top 40 music) Star Stage

Noon: Duke & Dolly Dolphin Strolling

Noon: Too Too Tomato Strolling

Noon-4 p.m.: Farmers’ Market Day presented Agriculture by Ventura & Oxnard Farmers’ Markets

Noon: Debra Mills, City of Ventura: Composting for Kids Uncle Leo’s Barn

Noon: Junior Livestock Auction Clark Pavilion

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.: Shanachie (Irish folk music) Pepsi Community Stage

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

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

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

2 p.m.: Mime Mark Wenzel Strolling

2 p.m.: Balloonacy Strolling

2-5 p.m.: Lorraine Mitchell: Bead Stringing Gems & Minerals

2:30 p.m.: Shanachie (Irish folk music) Pepsi Community Stage

2:30 p.m.: Junior Livestock Auction continues Clark Pavilion

2:30 p.m.: Story Time Uncle Leo’s Barn

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

2:30 p.m.: Carriage, Draft & Friesian Horse Show Morgan Arena

3 p.m.: Best SPAM Recipe Contest Creative Living

3 p.m.: Barn Talk: Emily Heckendorf Uncle Leo’s Barn

3-10 p.m.: Cheri Scarbrough: Handmade Beads Gems & Minerals

3:30 p.m.: Steven Lord (guitarist-vocalist) Youth Expo

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

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

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

4 p.m.: Junior Livestock Auction continues Clark Pavilion

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

5 p.m.: Hux Reid (Swing music) Pepsi Community Stage

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

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

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

6:30-10 p.m.: Cheri Scarbrough: Handmade Beads Gems & Minerals

7 p.m.: The Flying U PRCA Rodeo Grandstand Arena

7 p.m.: Ty Herndon (Country music) Star Stage

7 p.m.: Karaoke (Jr. Fair Board) Pepsi Community with David Viselli Productions Stage

9 p.m.: Ty Herndon (Country music) Star Stage

9:30 p.m.: Fireworks

10 p.m.: Exhibit Buildings close

11 p.m.: Commercial Building closes