Horsing Around on Equestrian Day at Will Rogers State Park

Polo players, cowboys, trick ropers and just plain horse lovers and picnickers are expected at Sunday’s eighth annual Equestrian Day at Will Rogers State Historic Park, 14253 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. The daylong event will be at the polo field, where Rogers played the game with his celebrity friends in the 1920s.

The day begins with an amateur polo game at 9:30 a.m. The polo field has no bleachers, so visitors are encouraged to bring blankets to sit on the embankment. Information sheets explaining the game will be available at the visitor center, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Food and Music

After the game, a country band will serenade picnickers. Refreshments will be sold, but visitors are encouraged to bring food.

After lunch, it’s back to the polo field embankment to watch the Grand Entry and Wild West Show. Peruvian Pasos will do their champagne ride--carrying glasses of champagne and trying not to spill a drop.

The lineup includes old-fashioned Western show stunts, including bull-whipping tricks, trick riding and humorous skits. Riders will be dressed up as Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill Hickok and other Western characters.

All activities are included in the $3-per-car parking fee. Information: (213) 454-8212.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Hundreds of teddy bears--collectible, antique and handcrafted--will be on display at Sunday’s Teddy Bear Show and Sale at the Holiday Inn, 7000 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Sponsored by the Teddy Bear Collectors Club, the show will feature a “Teddy Bear Fantasia” contest at 2 p.m., where bears are dressed up and judged and the winners awarded ribbons. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $2.50 for adults; $1 for children 6-18; children 5 and younger free (no strollers allowed because of narrow aisles). Information: (213) 421-0073.

After the Natural History Museum’s Ralph M. Parsons Discovery Center closes at 3 p.m. today, children and parents are welcome to stay for a storytelling hour with Martha Stevens. Kids will gather on the rug to hear “Stories From Roman Boys and Girls,” myths about Roman gods and goddesses. The topic coincides with the exhibit “King Herod’s Dream: Caesarea on the Sea.” The program is free with museum admission: $3 for adults; 75 cents for children 12 and younger. Information: (213) 744-3335.

OUTDOORS

The air may be a little nippy, so bring warm clothes to tonight’s campfire program at Leo Carrillo State Beach at 7:30. A ranger will start the fire and everyone can gather around for a talk on local ecology. The talk is free but parking is $4. The beach is at 3500 Pacific Coast Highway at the Ventura County line. Information: (213) 457-1324.

UPCOMING

In conjunction with the International Festival of Masks at the end of the month, several mask-making workshops for children are scheduled. On Wednesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Junior Arts Center, Barnsdall Art Park, 4814 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Alfredo Calderon will begin a seven-week course for children ages 8 to 10. The fee is $15.75. Information: (213) 485-4474. On Oct. 9, Calderon will conduct a mask-making workshop, included in museum admission, first-come, first-served, at Kidspace Museum, 390 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.

A Halloween mask-making workshop will be held at Kidspace on Oct. 19 and 26 from 2 to 5 p.m. Museum admission: $2.50 for ages 2 through 64; $2.25 for 65 and older or groups; free to members and children younger than 2. Information: (818) 449-9144. . . . On Oct. 15, Ardis Johnson will lead a free mask-making workshop at 8:30 a.m. at Watts Towers Art Center, 1727 E. 107th St. Information: (213) 569-8181. . . . The Craft and Folk Art Museum sponsors its free “Mask Making in the Park” Oct. 22, from noon to 3 p.m., in Hancock Park, 5800 Wilshire Blvd. Information: (213) 937-5544. . . .