First Weekend means Cruise Nite, SP Airport Sunday open house
August 05, 2011
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
It’s a “first” weekend, which means two of Santa Paula’s most popular events will provide plenty of fun for the entire family.
Cruise Nite will be held in Downtown Santa Paula Friday evening, offering hundreds of pre-1975 cars and trucks, live entertainment and plenty of strolling with - and trolling for - friends. First Sunday at the Santa Paula Airport will open the doors to the Chain of Hangers Museum, dozens of exhibits and plenty of shopping.
Adding to the fun is the Friday evening arrival of the “Shake, Rattle & Rail” Fillmore & Western Railway steam train, the first of three weekend steam adventures. Appearing tonight are Johnny & The Love Handles, whose music is as fun as their name implies and their rock tunes perfect for street dancing.
Cruise Nite is famous for its hundreds of pre-1975 classic and vintage vehicles set against the backdrop of historic downtown Santa Paula, its restaurants, and the live bands that on the First Friday of the Month entertain thousands of visitors. Cruise Nite is also famous for the opportunity it provides to visit with old friends drawn to the event from throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties.
Cruise Nite, held each month from April through October, starts at about 5 p.m. or so - many who display vehicles come hours early to find a parking space - and ends at dark.
Every First Sunday of the month, the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula Airport is the big attraction. Local aviation history comes alive when the Santa Paula Airport’s famous Chain of Hangars is opened for visitors to explore from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. There is no admission fee and each hangar has a unique focus and display.
Visitors that enter the airport through the gates at the intersection of Santa Maria and 8th streets can pick up a free map from the Aviation Museum’s Gift Hangar - filled with hundreds of unique items, all with an aviation flair - and start the self guided tour, whether on foot or by catching the tram. And visitors are invited to relax over a meal at Logsdon’s Restaurant overlooking the runway.
