Organizers try to breathe life into Conejo Valley Days

A two-day festival will replace Conejo Valley Days this year while CVD organizers try to update the traditional five-day event and officially bring it back in its entirety in 2010.

CVD has been celebrated for more than 50 years in Thousand Oaks, but last year organizers balked at putting it on this year— or maybe ever again.

Then, on Monday evening, Conejo Valley Activities Corporation, a group of nonprofits that comprise the parent company of CVD, met and voted unanimously to breathe new life into Conejo Valley Days.

They elected Mary Elva Lussier, a longtime CVD volunteer, president of the activities corporation. She immediately rolled up her sleeves.

"In 2010, we hope to bring back a new, improved Conejo Valley Days that is fun for the community and good for the organizations to raise money," Lussier said.

They're hoping to bring down the costs so the five-day event can cover itself and generate revenue for local nonprofits, she said.

"It's been a very, very expensive event in its current form," Lussier said.

The costs for security, the site, maintenance, the carnival, vendors, the parade, planning, awards and other expenses amount to about $750,000, Lussier said.

"The costs kept going up and getting to the point we wouldn't be able to meet it," she said.

"I'm excited we unanimously approved the motion to continue to try and put on CVD in the future," said former festival chair Marty Campbell.

Some organizers aren't waiting for the future to put on their boots and badges and start partying.

This year several groups that participated in the event in the past have organized the Conejo Valley Family Fun Fest, Chili Cook-off and Classic Car Show, which will begin at 4 p.m. Sat., April 25 with a concert at Conejo Creek Park South.

The musical performance will feature the tribute band "Stars of Beatlemania." Local talent will also be taking the stage. Food, beer and wine will be available.

Craft vendors, Whiskeroo and Badgeroo contests, and a kids' zone fun area will be part of the event.

At 10 a.m. Sun., April 26, the traditional Thousand Oaks Rotary Club's Chili Cook-off will take place with the Conejo Valley Rotary's Classic Car Show.

Fantastic Diamond, a Neil Diamond tribute band, will entertain. On another stage, Ventura County Sheriff's K-9 rescue team and dog agility stars will perform demonstrations.

Participants will include many nonprofits like the Elks Lodge, which will cook barbecued food. Children can enjoy a petting zoo and pony rides, said Rotarian organizer Vern Miller.

"It will be a wholesome family activity," he said.

Admission each day will be $10 for adults. Children under 12 will be admitted free.

For more information, go to www.thousandoaksrotary.org.