Midway Meetings

Some come for the corn dogs, some for the rides and some for the exhibits.

But nearly all the teenagers quizzed on the Ventura County Fair’s midway and food courts Thursday and Friday were there for something else, too--the social scene.

“A lot of my friends don’t come for the fair, they just come to socialize,” said 16-year-old Michelle Pech of Oxnard, who works at a booth in the arts and crafts pavilion.

Because Ventura County offers few social outlets for them, teenagers said the fair is a good break from the normal “boring” summer days spent working, going to the beach and watching TV.

Fifteen-year-old Meghan Pruitt of Ventura will be at the fair for two reasons: to work at her high school’s funnel cake booth and to enjoy the exhibits and food with friends on her days off.

“You have to be over 21 to go to the dance clubs or have a car to get around,” she said. “It’s like, the fair is here, we gotta go. There is something for every age.”

Jackie Slade, 15, of Ventura said summer activities for teenagers can “get old.”

“Especially after a couple of months of vacation, [the fair] is something to do as opposed to watching TV,” she said.

Eighteen-year-old Miko Yokoi of Oxnard and a girlfriend left one of the fair rides, heard a swing song emanating from the ride area and immediately began to dance. Soon a crowd formed around the two young women as they swirled, dipped and spun about.

“We love to dance, and we haven’t been out in awhile,” Yokoi said.

The pair were at the fair with about 10 friends from their Oxnard High School days.

“We are all going off to college, so it’s a last get-together,” Yokoi said. “We eat a lot, go on the rides and hang out.”

Laryn Isaac, who works along with Meghan at Buena High School’s funnel cake stand, said she likes to hang out at the fair with friends and family when she isn’t working the register.

“It’s an everybody place,” said Laryn, 16. “It’s like a tradition. It’s one of the few times everyone comes together.”

Eighteen-year-old Stephanie Nardo of Oxnard took off from work to spend the day at the fair with her boyfriend.

“I come every year,” she said. “We’re waiting to ride the Ferris wheel at night.”

Patrick Begg, 17, of Ventura came to the fair to ride the roller coasters with his twin sister and to see friends.

“It’s a once-a-year thing,” he said. “It’s tradition.”

Fourteen-year-old Jonny Hewett of Ventura also likes the rides. He was among a group of 10 cousins, sisters and other family members out for a good time.

“It’s fun to be with my family,” he said. “My favorite part is riding the rides, the spinny ones and upside-down ones.”

Jonny said he usually spends his days at the beach or skateboarding, and the fair was a nice change.

“Sometimes the waves aren’t that great, and sometimes I get hurt on my skateboard, so I take a break here,” he said.

Aaron Medrano, 15, of Oxnard said he usually spends his days surfing, but he met friends Friday at the fair for the rides. And he will be back at least three more times.

“I look forward to the fair because it’s something to do,” he said.

But that is still not as often as 13-year-old Miles Alary of Ventura, who said he takes the bus and comes to the fair every day with some friends.

“There’s nothing else to do,” he said. “We walk around and look for chicks.”