We at the Ventura County Harbor Department take great pride in offering recreational, business, and tourism opportunities to the local community and visitors.

That was evident this past weekend when the Harbor Department introduced the inaugural Parade of Frights, a Halloween-themed boat parade that also included landside activities prior to the event.

Hundreds of families visited the Harbor and attended an event marketplace at Harbor View Park, a scavenger hunt at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, and patronized local restaurants and rental businesses. Harbor Department staff handed out 500 trick-or-treat bags to families. The Channel Islands Maritime Museum had record-breaking attendance for a single day event in October. Businesses at Marine Emporium Landing and Harbor Landing were bustling. It was a great day for landside activities. Equally impressive was the number of boaters who participated in the parade itself, with more than 60 vessels of all sizes participating in the parade.

We hope the community and visitors enjoyed the event. Harbor Department staff has already approached me with ways to improve the experience. Next year’s event will be even better!

Channel Islands Harbor Holiday Food & Toy Drive

While it was exciting to put on an event for family entertainment, the Harbor and its community are looking forward to hosting an event that will offer families much-needed support.

The Harbor Department and Harbor & Beach Community Alliance (HBCA) are teaming up again to spread holiday cheer this season by hosting the 3rd Annual Holiday Food & Toy Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 3, 2022 at Fisherman’s Wharf.

The Holiday Food & Toy Drive will benefit Food Share of Ventura County and the Spark of Love Toy Drive, an annual effort coordinated by local fire departments which provides toys to thousands of children each year.

As you may be aware, the need to support families is greater this year due to the country’s economy. Donations to Food Share are down almost 30% due to higher food costs, with less excess food from grocery stores and less monetary donations overall.  As a result, the event’s matching fund donor has generously upped the matching fund from $10,000 to $12,000 this year hoping the community will also consider giving more this year.  We understand how difficult the year has been for everyone and are looking forward to another big event.

On the day of the event, donations will be accepted at a drop off location at Fisherman’s Wharf, located on the southwest corner of Victoria Avenue and Channel Islands Boulevard in Oxnard. Volunteers will be there to safely accept the donations and provide them to Food Share and the Spark of Love Toy Drive.

The goal is to raise a “boat load” of food and toys.  In addition, money donations to Food Share will be matched up to $12,000. Cash and checks may be written to “Food Share of Ventura County” and dropped off on December 3rd. Donations can also be made online by visiting: https://secure.foodshare.com/team/451078

Items Needed

The drive will include both food and toy donations to double the spirit of the holidays.

According to Food Share, the top five most needed food items are: canned tuna, chicken, and salmon; cereal (non-sugar types); beans (dry and canned); rice (in 1lb-2lb bags or mixes; and peanut butter, but all non-perishable food items are welcome.

If you want to donate toys, bring new, unwrapped toys and/or sports equipment which will “spark” happiness during the holidays.

56^th Annual Parade of Lights

One week after the Channel Islands Harbor Food & Toy Drive, the Harbor will be hosting its most well-known boat parade – the 56^th Annual Parade of Lights. The Parade of Lights is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 10^th.   This year’s theme is “Let It Glow.” We hope to have a big turnout to view the dozens of brightly decorated vessels on the water.

Michael Tripp, Director
Ventura County Harbor Department

Editor’s Note: this message was published on Nov. 1, 2022.