Floats, bands, clowns and celebrities needed for CVD parade
By Nancy Needham  nancy@theacorn.com

Organizers of Conejo Valley Days are looking for parade entrants--floats, bands, clowns, equestrians, even a celebrity grand marshal--to march or ride down Thousand Oaks Boulevard May 3. Floats will be in competition for trophies.

The parade, organized by Kiwanis of Thousand Oaks, a nonprofit service club, is open to 150 group or individual participants, including the grand marshal.

The CVD parade had a history of honorary grand marshals but got away from the tradition over the years, said Don Hegarty, president of Kiwanis of Thousand Oaks.

"This year we have a few leads on celebrities who might be our honorary grand marshal," he said.

Kiwanis members look forward to this year's parade and are also looking for ways to improve it, according to Hegarty.

"We always try to do it better than the previous year," he said.

Improving from last year will not be so easy. While attendance for the parade had gone down to about 5,000 people in previous years, last year there were around 15,000 spectators, many near the Civic Arts Plaza parking structure, where parade watchers were allowed to park for free.

"We're hoping the city will allow people to park in the parking structure again this year," Hegarty said.

A post-parade celebration was held at The Lakes shopping center last year. Hegarty said he hopes that event will become a tradition.

Paradegoers last year commented on the absence of street vendors--nonprofits selling cotton candy, balloons and other concessions. Hegarty said vendors are welcome to apply to the city for permission to sell goods at the parade.

Last year's parade was almost canceled until Aviara Real Estate donated $15,000 to cover the costs. No sponsor has been announced for the 2008 parade.

This year's festival had been struggling before the city and Conejo Recreation and Park District provided seed money to organizers.

Marty Campbell, CVD chair, said now she feels positive about this year's 52nd annual CVD festival, scheduled April 30 to May 4. She and her group are reserving tents and entertainment and making plans to help earn money for local charities.

They're also soliciting sponsors to help cover the costs so there will be sufficient funds to provide next year's seed money as well as grants and scholarships.

Updated CVD sponsorship and parade applications will be posted on the CVD website, Hegarty said.

The application fee is $15 for individuals and nonprofits, $75 for commercial entrants. Participants are required to have insurance, either through their personal homeowners or auto insurance provider or through the CVD, according to Hegarty.

Among the other parade requirements is a rule prohibiting the participation of politicians running for office.

For parade sign-up information, call the Kiwanis at (805) 376-0219 or the CVD office at (805) 371-8730. The website is www.conejovalleydays.org.