Registration begins for Conejo Valley Days Parade
By Steve Holt Steve@theacorn.com

In slightly more than eight weeks, on Saturday morning, May 3, the 52nd annual Conejo Valley Days Parade will be presented on Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

The parade takes place the final weekend of Conejo Valley Days, when the carnival continues its five-day run from April 30 through May 4 at Conejo Creek Park South.

The parade features local groups and organizations that can participate in various ways. Floats, marching groups, bands, drill teams, equestrians and special vehicles, including antique models, are expected. Youth groups, service clubs and elected officials usually participate. Businesses are also welcome. Trophies or plaques will be awarded to winning entries.

The parade had a resurgence of participation and attendance last year after the public learned that it was in jeopardy of being canceled. Organizers of Conejo Valley Days called for a parade sponsor, and Aviara Real Estate stepped forward last year with $15,000 to breathe new life into the parade. There are other sponsorship opportunities this year for CVD. Details are available at www.conejovalleydays.org or by calling (805) 371-8730.

The parade is organized and administered by the Thousand Oaks Kiwanis Club, which is hoping the positive trend continues, according to David Biedebach, parade chair of the T.O. Kiwanis Club.

Dave Klein, Kiwanis chair of public relations for the CVD Parade, said the Kiwanis have contacted celebrities about participating in the parade, and several have expressed interest. The club, Klein said, is also looking for businesses that would be willing to put posters that promote the parade in their store windows. For more information, leave a message at (805) 376- 0219.

Applications for the CVD Parade are available via computer at cvdparade@tokiwanis.org, by calling (805) 376 0219 and leaving a message or by writing to the Parade Coordinator, Kiwanis Club of T.O., P.O. Box 1791, Thousand Oaks, CA 91358. The deadline for applications is March 21. There's a limit of 150 entrants.

The theme of this year's Conejo Valley Days is "Come Along With Me to CVD." Conejo Valley Days includes a Grand Marshal Race fundraising activity, a Kickoff Picnic on Sat., April 19 and a Chili Cook-Off on Sun., April 27.