Holiday Fun for the Family

Take a spirited leap into the season’s festivities at the annual Holiday Street Fair in downtown Ventura on Sunday afternoon.

Now in its 15th year, the fair, if tradition holds, will attract thousands of visitors who will find a wide variety of family entertainment, arts and craft displays, a plethora of food samplings and more.

About 50,000 visitors are expected this year, event coordinator Faye Campbell said.

“We’ll close off six blocks along Main Street, between Fir Street and Ventura Avenue. Along the way, there will be entertainment for all, young and old,” Campbell said.

Live musical entertainment--including jazz, classical, bluegrass, blues, rock, country-Western and choir-group performances--will be offered on nine stages for music enthusiasts.

The street fair has become the site of one of Southern California’s largest arts and crafts festivals, Campbell said.

“We really do have one of the best reputations for craft festivals in the area,” she said.

About 500 artisans will display their hand-crafted items.

“It’s a great place to buy your holiday presents,” Campbell said. “There’s a wide range of finely crafted small-gift items to choose from.”

New this year will be an enlarged children’s area that will feature entertainment for the whole family.

During the festival, children will have an opportunity to meet Santa Claus and be able to enjoy such activities as face painting, clowns, rides, a petting zoo, magic shows, puppets shows and a chance to scamper across a Boy Scout expansion bridge.

The festival is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A full schedule listing the day’s events will be available at the festival.

For more information, call 654-7830.