County’s Faithful Flock to Fair Parade

The Ventura County Fair Parade probably doesn’t change much from year to year: lots of smiling cheerleaders, fez-wearing Shriners and homemade floats.

Even some of the faces that line the street remain the same--the faithful parade-goers who never tire of the two-hour event that winds down Ventura’s Main Street.

Folks such as Muriel Winters, who annually dons her parade costume for this special day.

The 79-year-old on Saturday said she has returned every year since 1969 to encourage parade participants, especially the youngsters.

“I wouldn’t want to miss waving at the kids in it,” she said.

For about 15 years, Oswaldo Soto has come to the fair with friends to eat chips and salsa and enjoy the parade.

“My favorite part is the low riders and, of course, the cheerleaders,” the 22-year-old said.

More than 120 entries--including bands, cheerleaders, antique automobiles and Cub Scouts--filled the street. Parade organizers said about 15,000 people lined the 1 1/2-mile parade route.

Local dignitaries and celebrities, including city council members, state representatives and Robert Garcia, an International Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion from Oxnard, took part in the event.

KVTA-AM (1520) morning radio personalities Dave Ciniero and Bob Adams served as the parade’s grand marshals.

The weather was nearly perfect, with barely a cloud in the sky.

Cheerleader Katie Rhatigan of Westlake Village said she got the best of both worlds. The 7-year-old rode on a float cheering with her friends and then sat with her family to watch the rest of the parade.

Shrine member John Oxrider from Banning said he participates in about 12 parades a year, and the Ventura County Fair Parade is one of the largest. Oxrider is a clown for Al Malaikah Shrine of Los Angeles.

“It’s just fun to make people smile and laugh,” said Oxrider, who was dressed in a clown business suit, with a painted face and bright red nose.

Joann Thompson, 62, has been helping with the bands in the parade for many years, but this year was the first time she claimed a seat on the curb to watch.

The judges’ area is the ideal location to view the parade, said Nick Nowland, 36, who has been a faithful parade-goer for six years.

Food was on the mind of Cub Scout Michael Cerda of Oxnard.

He had marched in the parade, watched the rest of it, but was most looking forward to eating at the fair.

“My legs are hurting so much,” the 9-year-old said. “We’re heading to the fair. I deserve it.”