Forecast Looks Sweet for Strawberry Festival

By NICK GREEN

May 16, 1998 12 AM PT

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

OXNARD —

Poor weather shouldn’t blemish this weekend’s California Strawberry Festival, but the same can’t be said for the fruit.

The threat of rain for Ventura County has receded this weekend, meaning the tens of thousands of people expected to head for the 15th annual berry blowout won’t be munching on strawberry pizza under umbrellas.

Still, the stormy week has taken its toll on the sensitive fruit, even though no one is predicting a strawberry shortcake shortage.

“El Nino gave us a scare, but we dodged the bullet and the strawberry festival will go on without a hitch,” said Don DeArmond, festival chairman. “Our [berry] quality may be off a little bit because of the rain we’ve had this week. But there will still be plenty of strawberries for strawberry festival-goers to enjoy. . . . I don’t see a shortage to cause those prices to go up on any of the food menu items.”

More than 40 food booths, half operated by local nonprofit groups, will tantalize the taste buds with such concoctions as Southern fried chicken with strawberry sauce and sweet potato pie with strawberries.

Five growers will also be in attendance to sell the locally grown product.

“We’re the third-largest growing region in the state, and we think we grow some of the best strawberries in the state,” said DeArmond, who when not helping organize Oxnard’s biggest home-grown festival is general manager for a large strawberry shipper.

But the festival offers more than exotic berry treats. There are the equally unorthodox berry-related activities, such as the strawberry tart toss, and the more traditional festival fare, such as art booths and musical acts.

The extravaganza, which drew 62,000 last year, is expected to take place under partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-60s both days, said John Sherwin, a meteorologist with WeatherData Inc., which provides forecasts for The Times.

Northern California will bear the brunt of a storm that festival organizers had feared could veer south earlier in the week.

“It’s not going to be raining cats and dogs, and it’s not going to be in the upper 50s like the other day,” Sherwin said. “Maybe a little warmer would be nice, but hey, you take what you can get. After all it’s an El Nino year.”

Indeed, organizers’ main concern earlier this week was that nearby dirt lots would bear a closer resemblance to muddy strawberry fields than dry parking areas. But the combined dose of a couple of days of dry weather and a smattering of wood chips has dried out the parking lots and festival grounds.

That is good news for the 300 professional artists from 10 states who will sell their pieces at what one arts-and-crafts magazine ranks among the nation’s top 100 events of its kind. Almost two dozen local artisans--ranging from a Simi Valley ceramist to a Ventura jewelry maker--will take part.

Musical entertainment on four stages will range from Russian rockers, The Red Elvises, on Sunday, to ‘60s-era institution Steppenwolf on Saturday.

Despite Steppenwolf’s tough reputation, organizers say that these days the aging rockers are more likely born to be mild than wild and firmly embrace the festival’s family focus.

“They have a history of being the biker band, but who are the parents right now?” said festival director Shelley Merrick. “They are fine upstanding members of the community, and I think it’s great.”

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days at Oxnard College’s Strawberry Meadows, 3250 Rose Ave.

Because of construction to the Rose Avenue interchange at the Ventura Freeway, motorists are advised to take alternate routes. Southbound motorists should take Victoria Avenue. Northbound drivers should use Pleasant Valley Road.

Admission is $7 adults, $4 children and seniors, with infants younger than 2 getting in for free. Parking is free--and so is the sunshine.

“It’s definitely been a difficult year for all the growers,” Merrick said. “They probably deserve a celebration this year more than any year.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Concert Lineup

TODAY

Dr. Kato Stage

10-11:30 a.m.: Yahman, Camarillo--reggae

Noon-1:30 p.m.: Tropical Squeeze, Thousand Oaks--tropical rock

2-3 p.m.: Nina Story--alternative/rock vocalist

3:30-5 p.m.: Steppenwolf--classic rock

Festival Stage

10 a.m.-noon: Caught Red Handed, Camarillo--country

Noon-2 p.m.: Teresa Russell Band, Oxnard

2-4 p.m.: Jumpin’ Jimes, Ventura--swing

4-6 p.m.: Lao Tizer--classical pop, fusion

Park Stage

10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Jazz 911, Ventura--jazz duet

2-5 p.m.: Rincon Ramblers--eclectic bluegrass

Strawberryland for Kids

10-11 a.m.: Pleasant Valley Band--folk/fiddle

11 a.m.-noon: Jest in Time--variety show

Noon-12:30 p.m.: Pleasant Valley Band

12:30-1 p.m.: New Banjo Minstrels--novelty songs

1-2 p.m.: Jest in Time

2-3 p.m.: New Banjo Minstrels

3-4 p.m.: Jest in Time

Noon and 2 p.m.: Jest in Time--strolling

Noon, 2 and 4 p.m.: Wonderworld Puppet Shows

SUNDAY

Dr. Kato Stage

11 a.m.-noon: Ashford Gordon Band, Ventura

12:30-1:30 p.m.: Hyperions--psycho-billy surf music

2-3 p.m.: Papa Nata, Ventura--raggae, pop, R&B;

3:30-5 p.m.: Tower of Power--jazzy rock

Festival Stage

10 a.m.-noon: Sound Effect, Oxnard--country

Noon-2 p.m.: Guy Martin Group, Ventura--blues guitar

2-4 p.m.: Red Elvises, Santa Monica--Russian rock

4-6 p.m.: Nuestro, Oxnard--Latin

Park Stage

10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Rincon Ramblers--eclectic bluegrass

2-5 p.m.: Jazz 911, Ventura--jazz duet