Ventura to Salute ‘50s Beach Era : Recreation: The weekend celebration will include bands, art exhibits and food booths along promenade.

Ventura will kick off its biggest special event of the year this weekend with the ninth annual California Beach Party, a two-day celebration of the early days of surfing and 1950s beach culture.

Rock bands, art exhibits and food booths will line the mile-long beachfront promenade from Surfers Point to the Ventura Pier, while sporting events such as a volleyball tournament and the Longboard Surfing Championships will take place on the beach itself.

“The beach party is sort of a signature event for Ventura, the one that we’re known for throughout the state,” said Faye Campbell, the city’s special events coordinator. “The city is very keen on spotlighting our beachfront. We’re a beach town.”

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Last year’s event drew more than 25,600 people over the weekend. With Metrolink providing train service to the festival this year for the first time, the city hopes to top that this year.

“If we have good weather we feel like we could have 15,000 a day this year,” Campbell said.

But forecasters warn that cloudy skies and possibly showers could dampen the festivities.

“What we’re looking at for the moment is a slight chance of rain for Saturday,” said Clay Morgan, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Oxnard. “At the very least we’re going to have cloud problems.”

But beach party organizers are optimistic it won’t rain on their parade.

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“It’s got to pour pretty heavy to have it stop (the event),” said Jean Thompson, a volunteer with special events.

“We’ve never had poor weather,” Campbell added. “It’s usually the first time (spectators) get to wear their shorts--they may just have to wear a jacket this year.”

For the third year in a row, festival-goers will have to pay to enter the festival. Fences have already started going up on the promenade area.

In addition to last year’s popular events, such as the classic car show and swimwear fashion show, beach party organizers have added a few new acts to the weekend.

Frisbee-catching canines will make their professional debut on the Ventura sand Saturday and Sunday in the World Beach Flying Disc International, competing for more than $2,000 in cash and prizes.

Rock ‘n’ roll deejay Wolfman Jack is the official “meeter and greeter” of this year’s classic car show, where more than 200 vintage autos will be on display.

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The beach party will also celebrate the newly restored Ventura Pier, which was reopened in October after 13 months and $3.5 million worth of renovations. Children can ride a miniature train that will cruise the pier to one of five stages where party-goers can enjoy live entertainment.

Metrolink trains will run both days from Simi Valley to Ventura, stopping in Moorpark, Camarillo and Oxnard.

Tickets from Simi Valley and Moorpark will cost $6 round trip and $3 one way. From Camarillo and Oxnard, tickets will cost $4 round trip and $2 one way. Metrolink monthly pass holders and children 5 and under ride free.

Parking will cost $3 and is available at San Buenaventura State Beach Park, the fairgrounds and the parking garage near the pier. Free shuttle service from the park will be provided.

California Beach Party Events

The California Beach Party will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the beach promenade near downtown Ventura. Some sporting events start earlier. Admission is $5.50 for adults, $3.50 for senior citizens and free for children 12 and under. For information, call 444-5225. SATURDAY 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Long Board Surfing Championships 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volleyball tournament 9 a.m. Biathlon 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Classic Car Show 10 a.m. Reggae music by Trinidad Reggae Band Body building (finals at 4 p.m.) Classic ‘60s music by the Convertibles 11 a.m. Swimwear Fashion Show Calypso music by Tropical Breeze Noon to 4 p.m. World Beach Flying Disc International Noon Yo Master performs yo-yo demonstration (also 1:30 p.m.) 2:30 p.m. Wolfman Jack performs with the Aces 1 p.m. Do wop music by the Vocal Cords ‘50s music by Ronny and the Classics Jitterbug dance demonstration Lori Richards performs environmental songs for children Bob Mendelsohn juggles 2 p.m. Rhythm and blues music by the Bombers Surf music performed by Insect Surfers Mark Beckwith performs children songs 4 p.m. Dave Kinnoin performs for children Wolfman Jack performs with the Aces 5 p.m. Last Metrolink train departs 6 p.m. Classic Car Cruise down Main Street to Ventura Harbor, where Wolfman Jack and the Aces will perform until 9:30 p.m. SUNDAY 8 a.m. 5K, 10K, one-mile run-walk 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Long Board Surfing Championship 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volleyball tournament 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Classic Car Show 10 a.m. ‘50s music by Pink Cadillac Boogie-woogie music by Rob Rio Steel drum music by Trinidad Steel Drum Band 11 a.m. Derek Laughran mimes Yo Master performs yo-yo demonstration (also 1 p.m.) 11:30 a.m. Swimwear Fashion Show Upbeat kid rock by the Bumblebeez Noon to 4 p.m. Finals for volleyball and surfing championships World Beach Flying Disc International 1 p.m.Jitterbug dance demonstration Bob Mendelsohn juggles 1:15 p.m. Step-team exhibition Total Woman Do wop music by the Vocal Cords 1:30 p.m. Lori Richards performs environmental songs for children 1:45 p.m. Hot country fashion show 2 to 4:30 p.m. World’s Longest Line Dance 2 p.m. Surf music by the Hodads Rock music by Beatlemania Country music by the Platte River Crossing Band ‘50s and ‘60s music by Lil’ Elmo & the Cosmos 3 p.m. Awards for Classic Car Show 5 p.m. Last Metrolink train departs