Policy Considered for Downtown Events

The city is considering a policy to regulate the types of festivals and parades it holds downtown to answer complaints by merchants that the special events are hurting business.

Councilman John Zaragoza said the renovation of downtown has been successful, as evidenced by the frequency of special events in the area. “But now we need some type of policy as to what types of events are held there,” he said. “If you have an event that goes for three, four or five days, can you imagine having a business there?”

Downtown Oxnard has been the site of numerous carnivals, festivals, parades and a farmers’ market.

“I like to have a good time myself, but we need to be cognizant of the residents and businesses there, too,” Zaragoza added.

“We’ve been here 27 years, and I wish they’d put these things on the outskirts of town, not downtown where it affects residents and businesses,” said Gloria Stuart, owner of BG’s Restaurant on A Street.

Stuart said she knew nothing of a recent carnival until crews began setting up two days before it began. Had she been given notice, Stuart said, she would have extended her restaurant’s hours.

Among the problems associated with the special events, Stuart said, is parking, when carnival-goers often take up spaces her customers normally use.