Moonlight at the Ranch big Hollywood hit
Everyone was a star at ‘Moonlight at the Ranch: Hollywood Nights’
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: August 22, 2008
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
Everyone was a star at “Moonlight at the Ranch: The Sequel... Hollywood Nights,” where more than 1,000 people from throughout Ventura and Los Angeles counties enjoyed their “close up” Saturday night to benefit the Santa Paula Police and Fire Foundation and Chamber of Commerce activities.
Held at historic Limoneira Ranch, “Hollywood Nights” featured dressed up guests, celebrity look-alikes, frantic paparazzi, screaming fans, movieland displays, tasty treats from about 35 restaurants, two bands, fine wine, and plenty of “show biz” smoozing.
“I think we absolutely hit it out of the ballpark... it was an incredible success,” said Chamber President/CEO John Blanchard, who channeled famed director Cecil B. DeMille and, as chairman of the party, also directed the event. “I heard comments from people that they do not think this could have happened anywhere else in the county. Santa Paula itself turning out to support their police and fire,” which, Blanchard noted, “you can’t be a great city without.”
“I thought it was fantastic, I couldn’t have been more pleased,” said SPP&F Foundation President Bud Brown, as the event “from beginning to end was phenomenal.” The Moonlight Committee “really has to be commended for an outstanding event that couldn’t have been better.” With a jaunty full moon, balmy weather and the crowd having so much fun, Brown noted that that funds raised would benefit the Foundation, and “That’s what it’s all about, too.”
The first half of the evening, said Police Chief Steve MacKinnon AKA Indiana Jones, was “just amazing, the electricity in the air with everyone enjoying themselves.” Even after attendees passed the giant Oscars flanking the traditional Hollywood arrival red carpet and entered the party, guests “could hear the activity” as other stars arrived.
“It had the real feeling of a movie premiere... the reaction of the crowd, the stars, the people in the bleachers, the paparazzi. Everyone was having a good time.”
“It was an amazing night, what can someone even say about it,” said Santa Paula Fire Chief Rick Araiza AKA John Wayne. “Moonlight was the event of the year... as usual. I really want to thank the community for their amazing support of police and fire and the Chamber.”
Support also came from dozens of restaurants from throughout Ventura County, said Connie Tushla, who recruited and coordinated the food and enjoyed the party as a Hollywood glamour girl. “The restaurants are the very heart of the party... people really enjoy tasting the different foods” donated by the eateries.
“Our restaurants offered this wonderful contribution,” and Tushla urged party attendees to “please dine at those restaurants that took part in the party and tell them you sampled their fare at Moonlight. It would be a great way to thank them,” as well as encourage repeat participation at Moonlight 2009.
“It was a phenomenal party, the restaurants were pleased that it was so unique and so well attended.... The purpose of them being there is to get exposure,” which, said Tushla, Moonlight more than provided.
Brown agreed that the restaurants did a “superb job... and it was a heck of a crowd. The whole evening was just fantastic, more than what I expected. People were wearing all kinds of dress, portraying all sorts of characters and all having a wonderful time... Santa Paula really knows how to put on a party.”
“It’s amazing that people are willing to help as much as they did,” and Araiza said that without the many months of Moonlight Committee meetings “this wouldn’t have been possible.” Both the SPPD and SPFD are already thinking about their wish lists that the cash-strapped departments will be able to pick from using Moonlight proceeds.
Many Moonlight guests interacted with SPPD and SPFD personnel, and MacKinnon said SPPD officers “continued to be blown away by the support they’ve seen from the community... officers walked away with a real good feeling” as the recipients of numerous positive comments from party guests.
The SPPD skit - a real cops and robbers filming treat directed by the chief - surprised MacKinnon, “How the audience got into it,” screaming and applauding as the pursuit was staged for two faux takes. “It pulled the whole group together for those few minutes.”
MacKinnon noted that many guests also complimented him on department personnel, and “I felt the same way as the officers. It was just neat, as I walked throughout the event the whole night,” to be told of so much support.
“I want to thank the people for their support of police and fire and the chamber,” noted Blanchard. “It just makes you so proud of the of the city and the people and how they care down to the bottom of their hearts.”
No matter where guests live, “People know this is a special place” and, Blanchard added, “people turn out to support it and help make it survive.”
“Our goal is not just to raise funds, but have a great community event.” MacKinnon said that, by the end of the evening, “We knew we had pulled it off... now the pressure on to do something bigger and better for next year.”
Hundreds of paparazzi photographs of Moonlight guests arriving on the red carpet are available for purchase at www.moonlight.printroom.com. Click on Moonlight 2008 to see the photos, which are available for purchase in a variety of sizes.
