“I like popcorn, but not this much, although I do like the aroma,” said Gonzales, who had an oversized bag of the snack she had bought to share.“We had some people with blisters on their feet and gave out band aids,” said Santa Paula Hospital COO Christina Thielst, who noted that sunscreen was also being offered at the Hospital on the Hill booth.Community Services Director Brian Yanez said that the event was “packed Friday night and we expect more today.... What’s my favorite part of the Festival? Monday!” he added with a laugh. “Actually, my favorite part is seeing people, especially Santa Paulans, enjoy themselves.”The Bingo Booth was full of those wanting to play and support Santa Paula Senior Youth Football, while another favorite band, “House Arrest” took to the nearby Main Stage. Featuring Santa Paula’s own Johnny Jacinto, the music of “House Arrest” again caused a dance floor jam including Rose and Derek Luna. “We’re just trying to be supportive” and having a wonderful time at the same time, said Rose.Over the three-day event, “I thought, my world, where are these people coming from?” Grant said, and added that surveys of the crowd revealed they were coming to the Festival from “all over... many said they had heard the Festival is so good and the entertainment wonderful. Over the weekend we had eight bands on the Main Stage and bands in the Bud Light Lounge. People - even those from out of state and even out of country - just came to have a good time. Everyone was in a great mood and had a lot of fun.”With the “fabulous weather” ticket booths “were packed all night, which makes it very, very nice... Kiwanis is happy, very happy.” Grant said Festival shirts and event programs were all gone by 3 p.m. Sunday.“We were out of everything! And people just loved the Citrus & Avocado Pavilion,” created and sponsored by the city and Limoneira Company, which co-sponsored the Festival. “It was decorated gorgeously” by Camille Yanez of Limoneira, and Grant said the flower bushes, citrus saplings and produce were being purchased “left and right.”“The festival was another outstanding event for Santa Paula,” said City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz. “The City is honored to partner with the Kiwanis Club to put on this great event every year. It just keeps getting bigger and better.”Grant said that although the Festival is a joint effort, “I’m being sincere in saying that if we didn’t have Wally none of this would happen. Wally’s thing is this - citrus - is the city, we need to have the festival... he’s just so much behind it,” as are Brian Yanez and city staff.“With Wally it’s ‘We’re going to do!’ and everyone did a fabulous job. It’s the most fantastic weekend we’ve had, especially with the fabulous weather... overall.” And Grant added he would grade the 2008 Kiwanis Citrus Festival “an A-plus!”
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(Top photo) Dyer Painting took the overall Sweepstakes Award for their entry into the Citrus Festival Parade last Saturday. The Parade officially kicked off the 2008 Citrus Festival held at Harding Park. (Bottom left) Elizabeth Blanchard, Grand Marshal, representing the Blanchard Family, waves during the 41st annual Citrus Festival Parade. Elizabeth rides in a 1937 Cadillac owned by Pepe Gonzalez (Parade photos by Debbie Johnson). Carnival rides at the 2008 Citrus Festival were a big draw, with thousands of adults and kids looking for that thrill ride. Everyone enjoys a roller coaster ride (bottom right), even the liitle ones (photo by Don Johnson). |
Citrus Festival Fun brings out thousands of people
July 23, 2008
Kiwanis Citrus Festival: Celebrants fill Harding Park
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesThe theme was “Citrus... the Beginning of Santa Paula,” and thousands and thousands of people celebrated Santa Paula’s heritage and had plenty of “fruity fun” at the 41st Annual Kiwanis Citrus Festival held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Harding Park. “It was fantastic, the best Sunday we ever had, the carnival and everybody,” said Festival Co-Chair Bill Grant.The sign came early that this year’s Festival, which featured concerts, displays, food competitions, the Santa Paula Family Fun Stage, a Saturday Car Show and Citrus & Avocado Pavilion, was going to be a smash when pre-sale carnival tickets sold out before the gates even opened Friday.Although Grant, who co-chaired the event with Mary Mata, said attendance figures have not been finalized, “It was packed all three nights... we’re really happy and can’t believe the turnout. Sunday was the biggest night we ever had, according to Tony Guadagno” of Guadagno & Sons, which stages the carnival.“They’ve been tweaking it every year for the better,” said Judy Ochoa, who each year provides the Volunteer Hospitality Suite for those on the go who need to grab a quick snack.With headliner concerts every night on the Main Stage, and local favorites performing daily on the Budlight Stage, music lovers were kept on their feet.“It’s going good, real good,” said Kiwanis President Ken Stock on Friday as he and his helpers were overwhelmed by a crowd waiting to buy Citrus Festival T-shirts and decorative tiles.Derek Luna and City Clerk Josie Herrera were the first to hit the dance floor when “Captain Cardiac & The Coronaries” took to the stage Friday night. The rocking retro-show urged audience participation by going into the sea of celebrants and pulling them to their feet.Encouragement wasn’t needed for most: “We’re having a great time, the band is great and there’s a lot of people here,” said City Councilman Ray Luna, who with his wife Rose and son Derek was a Festival constant throughout the weekend. “Once again,” Luna added, “Kiwanis has done a great job,” evident from the crowd of kids who couldn’t get enough of the beat of the “Hippy-Hippy Shake.”The carnival was full of happy families and teenagers waiting in line for the thrill rides including “Oh Shoot!” which was one of the attractions booked especially for the Festival, according to Sharon Guadagno of Guadagno & Sons. Sandwiched between East Harvard Boulevard and Highway 126, the full moon and carnival attractions made the Festival the most visually attractive yet, including a Ferris wheel with a revolving light show that at times seemed to match the beat of concert musicians.“It’s been very quiet for such a large crowd,” with only minor incidents, said Santa Paula Police Department Chief Steve MacKinnon Friday night.On Saturday Angela Dominguez and Helen Gonzales were snacking in the Food Court - each booth offering tasty Festival foods - and enjoying the entertainment on the Budlight Stage. “We went to the parade and clapped for everybody,” said Dominguez, who had just decided to order fish and chips. “I love that and it’s good for the brain!” she noted with a laugh.
