Conejo Valley Days just around the corner

CVD Chili Cook-off

(April 30)

The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks will stage a raffle drawing to select the winner of $30,000 in prize money during the Conejo Valley Days Chili Cook-off on Sun., April 30.

The first prize will be $20,000; second, third and fourth prizes are $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.

One thousand raffle tickets priced at $100 apiece were printed. A few remain to be sold during the cook-off. The amount remaining after the prize money has been awarded will be allocated to local charities.

The drawing will be conducted at 4 p.m. in the north entertainment tent. Thousand Oaks Mayor Dennis Gillette will draw the numbers from the hat.

The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks has organized and staged the Chili Cook-off for the past 22 years.

CVD Parking/Hours/

Admission (May 3 to 7)

New ball fields on the southern portion of Conejo Creek Park South will mean that parking for the 2006 Conejo Valley Days will require most of the parking for the five-day event to shift across the street, according to Mary Ann Keeler, Conejo Valley Days general chair. The Conejo Valley Days site is at the 23 freeway, Janss Road exit.

Traditional parking "behind" the midway and carnival will not be available this year as the grass on the new ball fields is not yet ready to withstand automobile traffic. Instead, many fairgoers will be asked to park on the north side of Janss Road in the Thousand Oaks Library/Teen Center/ Goebel Center parking lots. Trams and buses will make continual roundtrips from the parking lots to the fairgrounds.

The tram and bus rides are free and will make several stops around the fairgrounds. They will begin operating one hour before the opening of CVD each day (May 3 to 7) until one hour after closing. "Shuttle Bus" pick up and drop off signs will be posted in the parking lots and fair entrances.

CVD hours are Wed. and Thurs., May 3 and 4, from 5 to 10 p.m. ("Fun Night" wrist bands are $17 per person for unlimited rides plus admission on May 3 and 4); from 5 p.m. to midnight on Fri., May 5; from noon to midnight on Sat., May 6; and from noon to 8 p.m. Sun., May 7.

General admission is $6; students/seniors $5; $3 children ages 6 to 12; and children under 6, free. ConejoX Motocross Invitational is at 6 p.m. Wed., May 3 with a $12 fee plus fair admission.

CVD features a midway, carnival, rides, games, food, rodeo and live entertainment. The rodeo is at 1 and 4 p.m. Sat., May 6 and at 1:30 p.m. on Sun., May 7.

For further information, call (805) 371-8730 or visit www. conejovalleydays.com.

CVD's Interservice Club Luncheon and Award (May 4)

Two service clubs, two volunteer groups and two youth groups will be honored at theConejo Valley Day's Interservice Club Awards luncheon sponsored by the Conejo Valley Days Committee at 11:30 a.m. Thurs., May 4 in the banquet room of Los Robles Greens Golf Course, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. The deadline for nominations is tomorrow, Fri., April 28.

The awards are divided into two categories. A small club category will honor groups with up to 49 volunteers. A large club category will honor groups of 50 or more volunteers. Awards for the large and small service clubs of the year will be given to community groups that have a multifaceted focus of giving time and financial support to a variety of community causes and projects.

Awards for the large and small volunteer organizations of the year will be awarded to organizations that devote their resources to one specific cause or project.

Youth groups will be honored for their efforts to lead children and young adults toward healthy and productive lives.

To receive a nomination form, call the Conejo Valley Days office at (805) 371-8730.

CVD Parade (May 6)

The Conejo Valley Days Parade will transform Thousand Oaks Boulevard from Duesenberg Drive to Erbes Road into a colorful and festive site from 9 a.m. to noon on Sat., May 6. There will be more than 120 parade entries including bands, floats and equestrian units. The event sponsor is the Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks. For more information, call (805) 371-8730.