Unfair concert programming; youth programs in Oxnard

Fair but unfair programming for older people

I am disappointed with the lineup of concerts at this year’s Ventura County Fair. The music is geared toward the under 40 crowd and does not include music that will appeal to the majority of baby boomers and seniors.

According to Neilsberg Research, 21.87% of Ventura County’s population in 2023 was over the age of 60. This year’s fair concert series is geared primarily toward country western and hip-hop fans. What happened to the classic rock concerts that were so popular with rock fans young and old? We always went to the fair on the day there was a classic rock concert, enjoying the fair during the day and attending the concert at night.

On August 6th, Senior Day, Ludacris will be performing, which is not a senior event. I emailed the fair committee regarding the concert schedule and was ignored. They didn’t even give me the courtesy of responding. I’m not sure I’ll be attending the fair this year.

Raeann Koerner, Ventura

Promote free programs for youth

Today’s youth are the backbone of tomorrow, and our greatest goal should be to nurture and develop them to be even better than we were. It all starts with providing them with new activities and experiences at a young age, which I believe is the goal of the City of Oxnard’s free summer programs in 2024. These programs range from sports, arts and crafts, movie nights, and general enrichment activities. Yet these events lack participation.

Some will argue that these events and experiences are not meant for a large number of people or are not essential to a child’s development, which I completely disagree with. Personally, I grew up very recently in South Oxnard, where many of these events are meant, and I never heard a word about it from my peers or teachers.

I also recently attended an after-school event that the city hosts every weekday as part of its Free Summer program, and found attendance to be low. Which I believe is largely due to the city’s poor promotion of its programs.

Additionally, experimenting with new activities and socializing, whether through sports or recreational activities, helps young children develop essential social and teamwork skills that will be needed throughout their lives. Self-confidence is built through these activities, as these new experiences often push children out of their comfort zone, encouraging them to learn how to handle “uncomfortable” situations, an important life skill.

There is no denying the need to expose our youth to new activities that develop the skills needed to be a leader in society, such as socialization and self-confidence. We must therefore take action and choose to promote these activities by advocating for greater promotional efforts in cities or simply by word of mouth, ensuring that the next generation and its future are brighter than ours.

Jayden Melton, Oxnard