For those who love music, cars and good food, Labor Day weekend in VenturaCountyWest is the place to be.

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - August 15th, 2014 - Ventura, Calif.—Labor Day weekend means a last chance for a summer getaway. Where to go? For those who love music, cars and good food, Labor Day weekend in VenturaCountyWest is the place to be. 

            “It’s still hot inland, so many of our guests tell us that they want their Labor Day weekend to be at the beach to enjoy the cool breezes and to escape from the heat,” says Marlyss Auster, executive director, Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau. “They’re also looking to get away from the ordinary and discover new adventures without traveling too far from home.”

            Car buffs won’t want to miss the 12th Annual Ventura Nationals, Saturday August 30. On display will be hotrods, low riders, choppers—anything with wheels that can be souped-up and customized. The car show is from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Ventura Fair Grounds. Admission is $15 for adults ($10 for active military with valid ID). Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult and if they donate two cans of food to FOOD Share. 

            “For visitors who have spent the day at the car show or exploring the Channel Islands, hanging out at the beach, visiting local wineries, or visiting sites such as the Commemorative Air Force Museum at the Camarillo Airport or San Buenaventura Mission in Ventura, an outdoor concert is the perfect way to top off the day,” says Victor Dollar, vice president sales, Brighton Management and chair of the Ventura County Lodging Association. 

            VenturaCountyWest is packed with free or nearly free outdoor concerts. Labor Day weekend music starts off on Friday night, August 29, with reggae band Dirty Rice performing as part of the Friday Night Concerts Series at Heritage Square at 6:00 p.m.in Oxnard.There is free lawn seating and $5 general admission seating. Other outdoor concerts set for the weekend include Skinny Little Twits (classic rock), Saturday August 30 at the historic Olivas Adobe in Ventura from 7:30 to 9:30 (gates open at 6:30 for dining) and the final concert in the Concerts by the Sea series at Channel Island Harbor in Oxnard, also on August 30, featuring Acadiana (Zydeco/Cajun) from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

            While the weather is cool in VenturaCountyWest, there will be plenty of spicy tastes to sample at the Camarillo Chili Cook-off & Music Festival, Sunday, August 31 at the Camarillo Ranch. The event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and includes a chili cook-off, a classic car show, live music (classic rock, Beatles tribute band, surf), a Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament and a fun zone for kids. Admission is $10 for adults and free for active military and kids under 10.

            “VenturaCountyWest has events going on just about every weekend that shouldn’t be missed,” says Rebekah Evans, executive director of the Ventura County Lodging Association, which spearheads the VenturaCountyWest marketing efforts. “They take place down by the water’s edge or inland at the region’s one-of-a-kind historical sites and museums. Most are budget-friendly, which makes them even more enticing.”

            For more things to do, dining options and places to stay in VenturaCountyWest, visit www.VenturaCountyWest.com.

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