Conejo Valley Days Heats Up With Chili Cook-Off
Photos by Iris Smoot Acorn Newspapers

MOUSTACHE MAN- Brian Sheppard of Newbury Park thrusts his blue ribbon into the air after winning first place in the Whiskeroo contest for "Most Unique Moustache" at Sunday's Conejo Valley Days Chili Cook-Off. CVD continues through Sunday. BURNIN' HOT- Newbury Park's Jeff Trifiro scoops up a serving of "Burnin' Ring O' Fire" chili. Hungry festivalgoers enjoyed the spicy cuisine at Sunday's Conejo Valley Days Chili Cook-Off. DELICIOUS FLAVOR- Johnny Boger of Thousand Oaks scoops out the last bites of chili from his cup above the head of his 18-month-old son Jimmy at the chili cook-off. CVD culminates with the carnival today through Sunday and the annual parade on Saturday morning. GROOVIN' TUNES- Kirsten Russell of Agoura, left, and Jenny Zavala of Simi Valley dance to the music of Emilbus, a Sublime tribute band. Entertainment adds to the excitement of the chili cook-off. ALL WET- Vanessa Gentle, 12, of Ventura shrieks as she's soaked by a water balloon thrown by her friend, Rachel Poytress, 13, at Sunday's Conejo Valley Days Chili Cook-Off. Young people will be having fun again during Saturday morning's CVD Parade and at the annual carnival that operates through Sunday.