Capitola wharf grand opening

CAPITOLA, CALIF. (KION-TV)- Exciting news from Capitola, after one year of community support and hard work, the Capitola wharf is ready to welcome back visitors.

The event kicked off with remarks from city officials which was followed by live music from the Joint Chief Tro, attendees indulged in food from local trucks, and then a ribbon cutting.

“To have spent over a year to have the wharf empty, just to have all this life on it now is the most exciting part," Kristen Brown mayor for city of Capitola said.

"It really took the whole village to get this back," Joe Clarke council member Captiola said.

City officials opened up the gates as many longtime visitors to the wharf welcomed it back, for many people, including Ron Fritchey, he has been coming to the wharf his entire life.

“I still have a picture at home of my mother sitting down here at the venetian courts pregnant with me in 1945," Ron Fritchey Capitola resident said. "I've been here every year since 1945, coming out to the wharf as a little kid, fishing, catching crabs, things like that.” 

Significant upgrades were highlighted at the event, new public restrooms and an upgraded fish cleaning station. The wharf now features beautiful mosaic artwork.

Frequent visitors and Capitola residents were eager to celebrate the comeback.

"I was sad to hear it because it's always been such a beautiful area," Peter Skerrick Capitola resident said. "I'm glad to see that it's being revived and being brought back to life, and i think it's wonderful."

The community came together and raised over $400,000 for additional features that were showcased at the event.