PORT HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme will be ‘going bananas’ during the inaugural “Banana Festival” from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Port of Hueneme, Harbor District, 105 E. Port Hueneme Road, the district reported in a media release.
The free festival celebrates the Port of Hueneme’s 75 year anniversary and provides an opportunity for visitors to learn about the journey of the banana and the inner workings of the Port, while enjoying banana foods, music, dance and other activities.
Festival highlights include tours, displays, recipe contests, live entertainment, an arts & crafts marketplace, local farmers market, kids activities, unique banana food creations and the Festival ‘Port Pavilion’ showcasing the history of the Port. Visitors will also have an opportunity to get an up close and personal look at the latest car models and learn about the trends in alternative energy initiatives in the Auto Pavilion.
Food & Beverages:
Visitors can enjoy a number of food vendors, all displaying a variety of tasty concoctions. Local restaurants will include a special banana treat vying to win ‘top banana’ recognition for their custom delicacies. Besides the food, festival-goers can also quench their thirst with scrumptious banana daiquiris, ice cold local brews, soft drinks, and, of course, banana smoothies!
Music & Dance:
Heart thumping and fun music appealing to a variety of musical tastes will take place on the main stage as local bands join in on the celebration to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Port!
Shopping:
Shop till you drop at the Vendor Marketplace featuring a local farmers’ market, gourmet foods, boutique clothing, hand-crafted jewelry, garden art, hats, sunglasses, maritime treasures, banana fun merchandise and more!
Port Tours:
Those wanting to view the Port’s daily operations will be able to take a motor coach tour of the Port during the festival. Tours are approximately 30 minutes in length and will depart every hour from noon to 4 p.m. Photo ID’s will be required and minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Kid’s Zone:
Kid’s can work off some energy while having fun in the Kids Zone! Fun highlights include a banana cargo container, just waiting to be explored, or kids can get creative with tons of banana crafts. And, of course the area will be complete with lots of inflatable fun!
To learn more about the 1st Annual Banana Festival, or to inquire about vendor or sponsorship opportunities, call 805-256-4181 or visit the website at www.BananaPortFest.com
About the Port of Hueneme:
The Port of Hueneme is the second largest employer in the area and is home to 1,500 employees. The Port serves as one of California’s busiest seaports for general cargo, handling over $7 million in cargo value annually creating a $200,000,000 impact! The active Port is a vital west coast gateway for the import & export of automobiles. In addition the Port also handles produce, liquid bulk, fuels and fertilizer. Coast trade includes fish, offshore oil, general cargo and vessel fuel.
Did you Know?
- The true origin of Bananas is in the region of Malaysia;
- Alexander the Great is credited with bringing the Banana from India to the Western world;
- When Bananas reached the U.S., they were sold for 10 cents each at a celebration held in Pennsylvania in 1876 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence;
- Bananas are known for their potassium content – one large banana is approximately 9 inches in length and packs 602 mg of potassium and only has 140 calories!
- The Port handles 1.2 million pounds of bananas every year!