2-Day Country Jamboree at Hansen Dam

The free two-day jamboree this weekend at Hansen Dam Recreation Area in Pacoima will be sort of a Street-Scene-goes-Nashville.

Sponsored by the City of Los Angeles and radio stations KZLY and KLAC, it offers a chance to see country stars Ricky Skaggs, John Schneider, Larry Gatlin and Charlie Pride and many others at a price the whole family can afford: the charge for parking ($2). Families can bring their own picnic baskets (or buy food there) and eat on the grass while enjoying the non-stop entertainment. Rounding out the entertainment will be 70 bands, performing on five stages throughout the park. There will be square-dance callers at the country dance pavilion, chili cookoffs with television soap stars.

The petting zoo will be stocked with approachable bunnies and goats; the exotic animal exhibit will keep tigers and such at a safe distance. More activities for children include a Wild West Stunt Show with quick-draw demonstrations, carnival rides, a sheep shearer and musical instrument maker.

Hansen Dam is 1,400 acres plus, so there should be plenty of room left over for getting away from the crowds. It’s at the 210 Freeway and Osborne Street. Hours today and Sunday are 10 a.m. to dusk. A note to picnickers: No cans or glass bottles are permited.

Information: (213) 485-5801.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Sunday Celebration--Exodus 87: A Jewish Community Celebration at Pierce College in Woodland Hills is expected to draw about 30,000 people to daylong festivities. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation Council and the West Valley Kehillah, the event will aid the homeless and hungry and admission is free with a donation of canned food.

The festival area will be divided into 12 villages to signify the 12 tribes of Israel, with colorful banners decorating the booths. There will be a Passover booth, where visitors can ask a rabbi questions about the holiday. At the children’s park, kids can pet farm animals, ride ponies, have their faces painted and ride the moon bounce. Food offerings will range from knishes to falafel to kosher hot dogs.

Celebrities will include Elliott Gould, William Windom, Marvin Kaplan and Charlotte Rae. Two stages, one especially for local children’s groups, will be busy all day. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The college is at 6201 Winnetka; campus parking is $2 and there’s also street parking. Information: (213) 873-6811.

Wilderness Fair--Adventure rope courses and bluegrass bands will highlight Sunday’s third annual celebration of the outdoor life, sponsored by the Wilderness Institute and held at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. All 30 exhibitors (including Wildlife Way Station, TreePeople, California Native Plant Society) will have hands-on exhibits. There will also be hikes, a John Muir portrayal, special activities for the disabled. Box lunches and other refreshments will be available. The ranch is near the intersection of Kanan Road and Mulholland Highway. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: (818) 887-7831. Free.

Easter Fantasyland--As a fund-raiser for the Children’s Home Society, the Farm School in Woodland Hills will open its grounds for this weekend’s 15th annual spring party for families. The Easter bunny will be posing for pictures with kids (bring your own camera or pay for a snapshot), a clown will tie balloons into animal shapes and kids can help decorate Easter cookies, make simple crafts and win goldfish. The $3 admission covers everything but food. The school is at 22555 Oxnard St. Hours both days are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: (818) 998-4800.

CLASSES

Natural Egg Dyeing--The staff at Kidspace has done a lot of experimenting with natural dyes for Easter eggs and has discovered that onion skins and beets work best. So expect plenty of pink-and-brown eggs at this weekend’s egg dyeing workshops for kids ages 5 and up--workshops are free with museum admission ($2.25). The staff will pass out recipes so you can make more pink-and-brown eggs at home. Sign up for classes as you enter the museum; it is at 390 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Hours today and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: (818) 449-9144.

Send items at least two weeks before event (Saturday and Sunday events only) to Family Spots, View Section, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053. Phone calls will not be accepted. Items must include subject, phone number, date, time, exact address and ticket prices.