HITTING THE STREETS RESIDENTS FLOCK TO SHERMAN OAKS FAIR.

Byline: Alex Dobuzinskis Staff Writer

SHERMAN OAKS - Ventura Boulevard was crowded with vendor booths, performance stages and carnival games on Sunday as tens of thousands of people attended the 14th annual Sherman Oaks Street Fair.

The event was organized by the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce. Marge Hearn, widow of the late Los Angeles Lakers play-by-play man Chick Hearn, and Doug McIntyre of KABC-AM (790) were the event's grand marshals.

Ventura Boulevard was closed off between Van Nuys Boulevard and Kester Avenue. Vendors selling wares from clothing to vacation packages to handmade dolls were on hand. And two performance stages featured folklorico dancers, guitar-playing singers and a men's chorus called the Valleyaires.

Cliff Bailer, 37, of North Hollywood watched from the audience as his older brother Gary performed with the Valleyaires as the chorus sang Broadway tunes and other songs in four-part harmony, barbershop style. Bailer said he considered joining the chorus himself, but Sunday he was just enjoying the show.

``It takes a pretty good commitment. They're all over the place (performing),'` Bailer said.

For children, the event had pony rides, carnival games, a rock climb, a small train and a giant slide.

``The lines are kind of long, but it's kid-friendly - that's great,'' said John Green, 33, of Encino, who was at the street fair with his wife and son.

Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Richard Markota estimated about 80,000 people attended the event throughout the day. The Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce expected the event to draw up to 100,000 people.

There was plenty of evidence of the upcoming election at the fair, as supporters of President George W. Bush or his Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry sported stickers or signs for their chosen candidate.

Soo Wong of Seattle, who was visiting family in Los Angeles, was just happy to be away from the rain that blankets her hometown in the fall.

``I just enjoy walking around in the sun,'' she said.

Hallie Kemper, 34, president of the Greater Valley Glen Council, said the success of the Sherman Oaks Street Fair, one of the largest community events in the San Fernando Valley, should be replicated.

``We're trying to work on things like this, too. We think we need a lot more in the Valley,'' she said.

Alex Dobuzinskis, [phone]

alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Rob James balances daughter Jennifer, 6, on his shoulders at the street fair.

(2) Max waits eagerly as owner Kirk Ringberg has a snack at the annual event on Sunday on Ventura Boulevard.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer