OXNARD — The Channel Islands Maritime Museum will host a free family-friendly whale-themed festival March 22, 2020, from 11 am to 3 pm in conjunction with the 23rd annual Celebration of the Whales event at Channel Islands Harbor. The festival will feature hands-on educational booths, including a live touch tank, craft activities, a bounce house, art vendors, contests with prizes, live entertainment, food trucks, and much more. Visitors will be encouraged to follow an interactive migration trail along the Harbor’s west side, where there will be over two dozen chalk artists and clues to solve along the way. The trail begins or ends at the Museum or the Farmer’s Market, and all young participants will receive a prize and be entered into a drawing to win a whale watching trip for four. Admission inside the Maritime Museum is also free that day. The event is being co-sponsored by Channel Islands Harbor Department. “We are so happy and fortunate that our environment and proximity to the ocean allow these giants of the sea to be such an important part of our world,” said Pat Hart, President of the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. “We are looking forward to a wonderful event celebrating whales and other natural wonders with our entire community.”
About Channel Islands Harbor: The Channel Islands Harbor is a gem on the California coast between Port Hueneme and Ventura. It was built as a recreational harbor in the 1960s and 1970s on 310 acres of land and water, with approximately 2,150 boat slips, as well as marina facilities, restaurants, sport fishing facilities, chandleries, and shops. The Harbor is owned and operated by the County of Ventura. www.channelislandsharbor.org
About Channel Islands Maritime Museum: Located in Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor at 3900 Bluefin Circle, the museum’s galleries feature rare and beautiful maritime paintings dating back to the 1600’s, more than seventy world-class models of historic ships, rotating thematic fine arts exhibitions, and interactive exhibits that encourage visitors to expand their horizons about everything maritime. The museum is open Monday and Thursday through Saturday 10 am-4 pm and Sunday 12 pm-4 pm. The museum is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday for group tours and private member events (please call ahead to make a reservation), closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Regular museum entry is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for children (ages 6-17), free for members and children under 6, and free on the third Thursday of the month, sponsored by Southern California Edison. cimmvc.org (805) 984-6260.