Conejo Valley Days was supposed to take a year off, but the carnival has appeared once again with its rides, food and games of chance.

Festivities are taking place at Conejo Creek Park South, at the 23 Freeway and Janss Road.

General admission is $7; children ages 5 to 12, $5; youths 5 and under are admitted free. Active U.S. military members with valid ID will be admitted free on Fri., May 8, and mothers will receive free admittance on Mother's Day, Sun., May 10. Ride bracelets will cost $25 today, $30 Friday and Sunday, and $35 Saturday.

The Elks barbecue will be there along with other local nonprofits selling concessions. Other attractions include a petting zoo, Ferris wheel, carousel and fun house.

The family festival will be open today from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight and Sunday noon to 8 p.m.

The Badgeroo Contest, where contestants of all ages will show off their CVD badge collections, will be at 6 p.m. Friday, and 2009 badges will be on sale at the site for $1.

After the Conejo Valley Activities Corp., the nonprofit that organizes CVD, canceled the event this year, Shamrock Shows, the carnival's ride provider for 30 years, suggested it present the carnival this year.

"Shamrock, the park and rec, and the volunteers have done an outstanding job. It looks like a new Conejo Valley Days," said Mary Elva Lussier, CVAC president.

Next year there will also be performances, a commercial tent, parade, picnic and all the usual activities the community has come to expect from the western-themed event, Lussier said. She also promised some surprises.