Three days, four all-free events good
to go in SP over holiday weekend
July 03, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Three days and four all-free events are good to go this holiday weekend in Santa Paula where the fun never stops in everyone’s favorite historic hometown.
Friday is Cruise Nite, Saturday the 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular and Sunday free admission for special children’s activities is offered at the Agricultural Museum of Ventura County as well as the regular First Sunday of the Month Open House at Santa Paula Airport and Aviation Museum of Santa Paula.
Cruise Nite kicks off at about 5 p.m. and winds down at dusk but in between offers strolling on historic East Main Street to admire hundreds of pre-1975 cars, enjoy live music by Johnny & The Love Handles, eat or snack at Santa Paula’s famed restaurants and enjoy a unique night of fun.
Perfect for families or date night, East Main Street is closed from 10th to 7th streets for the Cruise Nite display, Ventura County’s original regular car show.
Now in its 17th season Cruise Nite — sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Paula Police Officers Association — runs from April through October.
Saturday will be a red, white and blue patriotic celebration of America’s 239th birthday with the Fireworks Spectacular at Harding Park.
The show starts at about 9 p.m. and presents a dazzling array of pyrotechnics that is visible throughout the city.
Staged by the Fireworks Committee and City of Santa Paula with help from the Rotary Club, admission to the show is free at Harding Park, 1314 E. Harvard Blvd. Bring blankets and a chair to enjoy the bombs bursting in air representing America’s Independence Day!
Sunday is a double-header at the Agriculture Museum of Ventura County and at Santa Paula Airport.
Admission is free to the museum where kids — and even adults — will have the chance to plant a variety of fall crops in a mini-greenhouse from 1 to 3 p.m.
Also at 1 p.m. local author Evie Ybarra will talk about and sign copies of her new book, “Legendary Locals of Fillmore” at the museum.
Visitors to the museum, located at 926 Railroad Ave. just northwest of the famed Depot, will also be able to choose among crops including cucumbers, beans, carrots, beets, winter squash and beneficial flowers in the homemade seed starter program.
Participants will learn all about the ease of mini-gardening, how seeds will sprout on a window sill or any sunny spot, and a light misting every few days will keep them growing.
And when the new gardener sees a few leaves sprout, they’ll know their plant is ready to transplant into pots or garden beds.
The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers a Tractor Exhibit, art, a beehive, interactive displays for children and a gift shop perfect for a unique shopping experience.
Regular museum hours are Fridays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tours by appointment
For more information, call the Agriculture Museum at 525-3100 or the main Museum of Ventura County at 653-0323, or visit www.venturamuseum.org
Local aviation history comes alive on First Sundays at the world famous Santa Paula Airport where the Chain of Hangars is open for visitors to explore from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. (Except when cancelled for rain.) And it’s all free!
The airport is located on East Santa Maria Street on the south side of Highway 126 just east of 8th Street.
Pick up a free map from the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula’s home hangar, and start your tour. You are free to visit the hangars in any order you wish, either by walking the airport or catching the tram.
Each of the privately owned hangars in the Chain houses a variety of vintage aircraft and collections of various types, as well as other memorabilia from antique radios to race cars. Some hangars celebrate highlights of fascinating aviation careers, while others contain antique aircraft undergoing the process of restoration. Hangar owners or docents are available to answer questions. Aircraft owners display their antique aircraft, and vintage aircraft often fly in. Car clubs also frequently grace the airport’s taxiways on First Sunday, and several hangar owners also have beautiful vintage cars on display. You never quite know what you’ll see on First Sunday!
The Museum’s Home Hangar is history central and offers newspapers, photos, clothing even a video about the creation and opening of the airport in 1930. The Home Hangar also offers a wonderful variety of toys, decorative items and apparel for the airplane buff of all ages.
