VENTURA : Old-Time Fun Shines Down on Seaside Fair

Griffin and Nicole Williamson spent their first anniversary Sunday pedaling down the Ventura Pier promenade in a rented carriage, stopping long enough only to take in the sights and sounds.

“We wanted something fun to do, so we came to the beach,” said Griffin, a 20-year-old accounting clerk from Ventura. “We just got back from Las Vegas this morning, where we got married a year ago today.”

Hundreds of people toured the promenade north of the pier at the weekend Summer by the Sea concert and arts fair. The weekend festival series continues through Labor Day.

Music, food and arts and crafts booths lined the promenade, with vendors selling everything from snow cones and plaster angels to tie-dyed clothing and handmade jewelry. For Kevin Mansfield, the summer fair series is a chance to do a brisk business. He tie-dyes shirts, pants and anything else he can think of to sell at open markets.

“It was a hobby that I turned into a career,” said Mansfield, 36, of Santa Barbara. “People seem to like it, and I get to hang out at the beach. Half the fun is watching the people.”

Mansfield, who has sold his wares along the promenade most weekends this summer, said the Ventura County Fair, which runs through Sunday, has lured customers away. “It’s a little slower today than most weekends,” he said, “so it must be because of the fair.”

Bob and Lisa Whitney of Simi Valley liked a pair of plaster angels so much they spent $17 on a set.

“They have some really nice stuff here,” said Lisa, wrapping up her purchases in a day-old newspaper.

Bob Whitney said the couple wanted to get away from the east county heat, if only for a few hours. After touring the county celebration just north of the promenade, they visited the street fair.

“We’re just walking down the boardwalk,” said Whitney, also an accountant. “We didn’t even know this existed. It’s nice and cool and the weather’s beautiful.”

Tom Brukiewa of West Hills packed up his 9-month-old son, Jacob, and his two teen-age daughters early Sunday and headed west.

“It’s actually a very pleasant experience,” said Brukiewa, an engineer, slurping snow cones with his family. “People are a lot nicer here than they are in L.A.”