With the 132nd annual Ventura County Fair only weeks away, fair officials today revealed this year's theme poster.

The poster depicts an original oil painting that illustrates this year's theme, "An Old Fashioned Fair." It will be displayed in most fair advertisements and throughout the Ventura fairgrounds.

The artist of the original piece is 90-year-old Mary Christie of Ojai. Christie, who moved to Ojai in 1978, submitted her painting in an art competition at the fair in 1979. Her work won the Director's Choice award, was purchased by the fair board and hung in the fairgrounds office.

Barbara Boester-Quaid, CEO of the Ventura County Fair, said the image hung in the office for 28 years. She said fair officials had long desired to use the painting but were not sure how to contact the artist.

"I always thought it would be a phenomenal poster. We just never pursued it," she said.

Boester-Quaid said that when the artwork was taken down a few months ago, the fair found the original contest entry-tag attached to the frame, with a phone number and address.

"We looked everywhere except there," she said.

Christie — 28 years later — still lived in Ojai, at the same address.

"We were shocked that she still lived in the same house," Boester-Quaid said.

The painting depicts an older couple sitting at a fair. In the background is a ferris wheel and several booths.

Christie's son-in-law, Bob Shultz, 59, said the people in the photo were Christie's grandparents. "Her grandparents raised her through the Depression," Shultz said.

He said Christie is a trained artist. "I'm one of her biggest fans," he said.

Christie attended today's unveiling and said she was "grateful for all the appreciation."

Her 9-year-old great-granddaughter, Taylor Wood, also was at the event. She said she is excited to see the work of the family elder being used at the fair.

"My grandma said she's really noticed now because of the painting," Taylor said.

Boester-Quaid, who's worked with the Ventura fair since 1978, expects the story behind the painting will make the poster a big hit. "I think this will be one of our most treasured posters," she said.

The Ventura County Fair runs Aug. 1-12. Headliners this year include Hootie and the Blowfish, REO Speedwagon, Hinder with Papa Roach, Tony Orlando, the Beach Boys, the Bangles and the Motels.

For more information, visit http://www.venturacountyfair.org or call 648-3376.