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Change of Citrus Festival venue causes several street closures

July 23, 2003
Santa Paula News

With the new energized 36th Annual Kiwanis Club Citrus Festival has come a change of venue that will close several streets during the event - being held July 25, 26 & 27 - and bring club members out to direct Sunday morning church traffic.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesWith the new energized 36th Annual Kiwanis Club Citrus Festival has come a change of venue that will close several streets during the event - being held July 25, 26 & 27 - and bring club members out to direct Sunday morning church traffic.Kiwanis Club Citrus Festival Chairman Bill Grant spent Saturday morning distributing flyers to areas surrounding the festival site, to be held for the first time at the Railroad Plaza - including the historic Depot and new Gazebo - and on Santa Barbara Street.“We’re not going to close Main Street,” for the festival with the exception of the 10:30 a.m. Citrus Delight Parade, which will wind down Main Street to Mill Street and lead to the festivities.In years past the annual event was held at Veterans’ Park, causing closure of Ventura Street between 10th and Mill streets and the portion of Mill Street adjacent to the park.“As far as we know, Mill Street will be closed,” north of Main Street “except for business owners” said Grant.
In addition, Santa Barbara Street between 10th and Davis streets will be closed, as well as Mill Street between Santa Barbara and Main streets.A short stretch of Railroad Avenue, from 10th Street west to 9th Street, might also be barricaded and although residents - and delivery people such as newspaper carriers - will be allowed to enter the area in their vehicles, street parking will be banned for the length of the festival.“We were hoping at one time we wouldn’t need Railroad Avenue, and right now it’s questionable that it will be closed,” said Grant. “If it is, we’ll set barricades and let residents,” and any delivery people, gain vehicle access.In addition, members of the Kiwanis Club will be on hand to direct traffic on Sunday for First United Methodist Church, which wraps around the block from Mill Street to Santa Barbara Street.“We don’t believe there will be any problems,” for parishioners as the Citrus Festival does not start until noon on Sunday, said Grant, “but we’ll be there just to make sure.”Citrus Festival hours are Friday 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.