Beach Festival Marks Last Days of Summer

Ventura residents are invited to hit the beach for a final summer weekend of fun in the sun at the 13th annual California Beach Festival.

The celebration Saturday and Sunday is expected to draw 30,000 people to the Beachfront Promenade and will stretch for over a mile from the Ventura Pier to beyond Surfers Point.

The event will feature a wine pavilion and air show, along with music, swing dance and classic car competitions. Activities include beach volleyball and surfing tournaments as well as 10K and 5K runs and a 1-mile walk-run.

“I always think of it as a ‘50s and ‘60s Frankie Avalon beach party,” festival coordinator Faye Campbell said. “Sort of like the last fling of summer. It’s filled with things for families to do. People tend to like the feel of the festival.”

Musical groups will include Dick Dale & the Del Tones, the Eliminators, the Convertibles with Mary Kay and rhythm and blues band Blowin’ Smoke.

The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors, and free for children 12 and under.

Coupons worth $2 off admission are available at Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St., Rooms 109 and 226. Parking is $3 at Seaside Park, $5 at the parking structure on the beach end of California Street and free in downtown lots.