VENTURA : Candy Cane Lane May Face End of the Road

The Christmas decorations have largely come down along Ventura’s Candy Cane Lane--perhaps for the last time, say residents who have wearied of increased traffic congestion and vandalism that has marred the 38-year tradition.

Sometime next month, residents of the one-block stretch of Teloma Drive will gather as they have for 38 years to discuss the future of Candy Cane Lane, which has grown into a countywide attraction in recent years.

Some residents say it is time to pack away the Nativity scenes, oversized candy canes and Santa’s sleighs for good.

“Maybe we’re too big for this now,” said Carol Cole, whose family has participated in Candy Cane Lane for 21 years. “On Christmas Day this year, a great big huge giant bus came down the street, and I thought ‘This isn’t right.’ ”

Others complain that they have become virtual prisoners in their houses during the Christmas season. Traffic congestion and vandalism are becoming the Grinch that threatens to steal Christmas, they say.

“We can’t have visitors on Christmas anymore because there’s no place to park,” said Becky Malis, who has lived on Teloma with her husband and three sons for 20 years.

Others say some of the fun has faded over the years.

“My husband has decorated (the yard) for 37 years and he says he’s tired of the darn foolishness,” said one woman who declined to give her name. “A lot of elderly people on this street have been doing it since the beginning and they’re tired. It’s a beautiful idea, but I wish some other street would take it on now.”

While some have tired of the tradition, others plan to continue it despite the problems.

“I hate to see it end,” said Debbie Burt, who moved to the street three years ago with her husband and two small children.

“We’re looking forward to participating next year,” said Burt, who added that her family moved to Teloma partly because of its annual transformation into Candy Cane Lane.

“We felt that a neighborhood that gets together every year to stage this was a neighborhood a family with children could count on,” Burt said.

And at one end of the street, 80-year-old Ruby Mae Montgomery said the neighborhood wouldn’t be the same without the annual event.

“We started decorating when that tree was first planted,” Montgomery said, pointing to a towering shade tree in her front yard.

“I would miss it,” she said. “Everybody loves it.”