LOTS TO DO—Emily Garcia, held by her grandmother, Jamie Throckmorton, awaits a balloon from balloon-maker Dennis Forel during last year’s Camarillo Fiesta and Street Fair. The annual carnival will once again take place this weekend in Old Town. DAVID YAMAMOTO/Special to the Acorn Heather Hill is one of 190 vendors who will set up shop on Ventura Boulevard this weekend for the 48th annual Fiesta in Old Town Camarillo.

The 36-year-old California native drove 1,500 miles from the small town of Siloam Springs, Ark., to sell her handcrafted girls’ clothing at the Camarillo Fiesta, a longtime family favorite event for Camarillo residents and those throughout Ventura County.

“I chose two shows to do this year, and Fiesta is one of them,” Hill said. “My clothes have a more eclectic look, and I think the beach towns really appreciate that.”

The Fiesta features carnival rides, food and live entertainment, and will open tonight and run through Sun., July 15.

The free event shuts down Ventura Boulevard between South Glenn Drive and Oak Street and attracts more than 35,000 people each year.

Valeri Peña Mervyn, Fiesta’s vendor coordinator for the past four years, said vendors come from all over Ventura County as well as from out of state, including Nevada and Arizona.

“We look for handcrafted items and family-friendly products,” said Mervyn.

Councilmember Mike Morgan, president of the nonprofit Camarillo Fiesta Association, said the merchants are screened for quality, and the vendor list has grown from 80 to almost 200 since the event moved to Old Town.

After being held in various places throughout the city, the Fiesta, which celebrates Adolfo Camarillo’s and the city’s birthday, was moved to Old Town in 1997 to accommodate larger crowds.

Roy Villa, head of the Fiesta’s entertainment, said he chose bands that will complement the event’s history.

“We wanted to honor the heritage of Fiesta, so we have flamenco dancers, salsa, along with classic rock and funk,” Villa said.

Nineteen bands will perform on two live stages at Dizdar Park and Fir Street.

The Rotary beer garden, which Villa said is a big hit with adults, will be at Dizdar Park again.

The main carnival will be on the former Los Primeros School parking lot, with a kids’ fun zone that will have pony and camel rides and a petting zoo on the school’s campus.

The Topa Topa Flywheeler Club will host an antique tractor show Saturday and Sunday.

There will be a classic car show on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. on the Arneill Road bridge.

A 5K run on Sunday, sponsored by the Camarillo running shop Tri Running, will raise money for the Fiesta Association with a $25 sign-up fee.

Fiesta raises about $30,000 for local charities and schools and is sponsored by the city and a variety of businesses, including the Camarillo Acorn.

A shuttle service will transport attendees from three locations in Camarillo. Shuttle riders can park next to Harley’s Bowl, 305 Arneill Road; the Boys & Girls Club, 1500 Temple Ave., or the Paseo shopping center near Griffin Family Funeral Chapel on Daily Drive.

For more information, call (805) 573- 2058 or visit www.camarillofiesta.org.