Ventura’s 4th of July Street Fair continues its proud 44-year tradition on Thursday, July 4, from 10 am to 5 pm in Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District. “We Have Liftoff!” is this year’s theme, in honor of the 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo Program.
The Independence Day event regularly draws more than 50,000 residents and visitors. The showcase of handmade arts and crafts by more than 200 artisans, multiple food booths and live music stretches along five blocks of Main Street from Chestnut Street to Mission Park. This year’s event will also feature a children’s fun zone at Mission Park where children can enjoy rides, bounce houses and a visit with Ventura City Firefighters.
The day kicks off with the annual Pushem Pullem parade sponsored by the Ventura East Rotary Club. The parade assembles at Cemetery Park at Main Street and Crimea Street at 9 am and begins to parade down Main Street at 9:30 am with a Ventura Police Motorcycle escort. Participants decorate bicycles, strollers, scooters and wagons and dress up in festive Fourth of July attire for the parade while also incorporating the Street Fair NASA Theme of “We Have Liftoff!”. Participants receive a free commemorative button while supplies last. There is no application or RSVP required to participate in the parade it is a fun community tradition of celebrating the holiday and our community.
Community members are encouraged to enjoy the approved and legal firework displays that are offered throughout Ventura County. The Rotary Club of Ventura’s Fireworks Show and Family Picnic will be offered at Ventura College from 5 pm to 9 pm. Tickets can be purchased online, at local Vons stores, at the 4th of July Street Fair Information Booth from 11 am- 2 pm on July 4 or at the gates of the event.
Fireworks are illegal in the City of Ventura. Please report firework disturbances to the Ventura Police Department’s 24/7 non-emergency number at 805-650-8010. Please be prepared to provide detailed information of the firework activity including the address and suspect being reported. For emergencies please call 911.
The beach areas in the Pierpont and Keys neighborhoods of Ventura will have controlled traffic patterns for public safety on July 4. Visitors and residents will be able to access the State Beaches Parking Lot via San Pedro Street but will not be able to access Pierpont Blvd from San Pedro Street. Pierpont and Keys area beaches, homes and businesses will be accessible via Seaward Ave. Other road entrances including Monmouth Way, Peninsula Street and Oyster Street will be closed for entering and rerouted to Seaward Ave. for entering the area. All roads will be open for exiting the area. Those wishing to enjoy fireworks by the beach should consider attending the public fireworks display offered by Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard at 9 pm. Those attempting to use fireworks on Ventura beaches or anywhere in the City of Ventura are subject to fine. Let’s work together to make it a safe and fun holiday for all!
