This year though it was discovered that De Colores was sharing the calendar with other events throughout Ventura County: “We want to spread the word for next year; we don’t want to compete,” with too many other events, Guerrero noted.“Our email newsletter has been very effective; it’s amazing how it spreads,” the news about De Colores and the Web site is also being used to link visitors to other sites highlighting Santa Paula, said Guerrero.The skatepark is being constructed and should take about 90 days for completion, said Public Works Director/City Engineer Cliff Finley.“The area at Veterans Park that is fenced off is bigger than the actual skatepark, it’s the construction zone,” he noted. “The park is going to have a bowl and pyramid as well as rails and stairs, all the things we chase kids off of,” Finley added with a laugh.The parking lot at the park will be reconfigured as the skatepark is taking parking space, but construction will create a “parking loop” and not interfere with mailbox drop off service.The 12,000 square foot park will provide a viewing area and path that will also be enclosed to “keep control and provide a spot for special events. Landscaping is really going to look nice and the skatepark will be a neat feature of Veterans Park.”Finley noted that the approximate $300,000 cost of the skatepark is the result of grants and SPAS (Santa Paula Association of Skaters) flamingo fundraising, and “no funds are being used that could be used to repair streets or fix potholes.”
GMSP! De Colores, skatepark detailed during April chamber event
April 23, 2004
Santa Paula News
De Colors and the city’s new skatepark were detailed during the April Good Morning Santa Paula!
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesDe Colors and the city’s new skatepark were detailed during the April Good Morning Santa Paula!SPIRIT of Santa Paula and Kay Wilson-Bolton hosted the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event held each month at Logsdon’s at the Santa Paula Airport.Xavier “Big X” Montes and Carmen Guerrero detailed the annual cultural celebration De Colores and the work that goes into staging such an event.Founded by Montes, De Colores is celebrating its 10th anniversary and this year features over 40 noted artists as well as music, dance, a Mercado and other activities.“The musical entertainment and the artists are the best at what they do, and this year we sought out some very interesting and famous groups,” said Montes. “I remember the first time I saw Mexican folk dancing, it knocked me out. I loved it so much. . .it did something to my heart.”“De Colores is colors,” said Guerrero. “We like to incorporate color into it, it’s part of our culture.”Marketing has proven to be a key to De Colores success, she added, and marketing the event is also highlighting Santa Paula.De Colores publicity has been countywide and word of the event is spreading through radio and newspaper coverage throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
