OXNARD : Summer Promotions Spotlight Downtown

A series of attractions and cultural events is planned throughout the summer to lure both residents and visitors into Oxnard’s downtown.

Downtown merchants have banded together to promote the historic district, which over the years has become the economic victim of regional shopping malls and other development outside the city’s core.

“Twenty or 30 years ago, people sort of got away from downtown as the malls got built,” said Ruth Bernstein, of the Oxnard Downtowners, the central city merchants coalition staging the promotions.

“We want to bring people back downtown again and also bring tourists here for the first time to visit our museums, Heritage Square, and all the unique and smaller shops,” Bernstein added.

“It’s basically a romance campaign, in the sense of romanticizing downtown and trying to create a positive image there.”

Promotions include the third annual Summer Concert Series, which features various types of live music at 6 p.m. Fridays between June 24 and Aug. 26. The free concerts will be held in Heritage Square.

Other events include the Oxnard Farmers Market, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday at Heritage Square, and the A Street Antiques & Collectibles Faire, held the second Saturday of each month through September between 3rd and 5th streets.

On Friday, the merchants coalition will present “Rediscover Downtown’s Treasures,” an afternoon open house featuring tours of the Gull Wings Children’s Museum, the Oxnard Civic Center, the Carnegie Art Museum and other attractions.

Also in June, the Downtowners will stage the drama “Hay Fever,” which will run Friday and Saturday nights through July 9.

For information or to participate in any events, contact the Downtown Events & Promotions office at 483-7960.