Ventura Ranch KOA in Santa Paula, Calif., is making it convenient for RVers to enjoy all that the Citrus Classic Balloon Festival has to offer – from the sunset wine dinner to the live music to the tethered balloon rides to the spectacular Evening Glow.
Ventura Ranch KOA is a new co-sponsor this year of the third annual festival, taking place July 30 and 31 in Santa Paula, 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The year-round 76-acre campground in Heritage Valley at the foot of Ventura County’s highest mountain, Topa Topa, changed ownership and became a KOA in the past year. Its general manager, Kevin Donnelly, had read about the Santa Paula balloon festival and thought it would be a good event for the resort to be involved in.
“We are always looking to direct our guests to interesting local events, so the Balloon Festival was a natural as an excellent local activity for them to attend and enjoy,” Donnelly told MotorHome magazine.
The KOA, which is only 5 miles from the festival grounds, is offering a free entrance ticket to the event for the first 50 people who register to stay at Ventura Ranch during the festival.
The campground has 76 RV sites with fire rings and picnic tables, about 25 tent sites, as well as furnished lodges and teepees. Amenities include laundry facilities, a clubhouse, free Wi-Fi and a dump station. “As our RV park fills,” Donnelly said, “we soon will clear a beautiful portion of our unused property for dry camping.”
In addition to the dinner, rides, live entertainment and balloon glow with more than 20 hot air balloons, the festival will also feature a sunrise balloon ascension; Hare & Hound balloon competition; vintage Indian motorcycles; a vintage and custom Chevy car show; free children’s activities; wine and beer tasting pavilions; a recycled art contest; arts and crafts vendors; and food and drink vendors.
Ventura Ranch KOA will also have a presence at the festival. “We will be bringing and operating our 25-foot-high climbing wall for all those who dare,” Donnelly said, “and we will be setting up one of our teepees in which all can tour.” At the teepee, Donnelly added, staff members will hand out informational brochures and answer questions about the resort, its activities and accommodations.
For reservations at Ventura Ranch KOA, located at 7400 Pine Grove Road in Santa Paula, call 1-877-779-8080 or visit www.koa.com/where/ca/05459.
