Emphasis on Families at Conejo Valley Days : Thousand Oaks: Chili cook-off and Whiskeroo are today’s events. Five-day carnival starts Wednesday.

Aiming to make the Conejo Valley Days festival more appealing to families--with a special emphasis on children--festival officials this week will kick off the annual round of cookouts, dances, rides and musical entertainment.

The annual Thousand Oaks event, expected to draw 75,000 people, will include a chili cook-off today and a five-day carnival running from Wednesday to May 1.

While the official theme of this year’s Conejo Valley Days is “Boots, Buckles and Bandannas,” organizers said the unofficial theme is “appeal to the family.”

Event coordinator Jennifer Cummings said Conejo Valley Days organizers have spent record sums on marketing and advertising to convince local residents that the carnival at Conejo Creek Park will be ideal for families with small children.

“We’ve gone all out to establish this theme,” Cummings said. “We want this to be an event that everyone in this area can really enjoy.”

Toward that goal, the carnival will include a second tent this year with 30 booths devoted to children.

And festival officials said more emphasis has been placed on children’s events, including a parade and rodeo just for them.

Last week’s children’s parade drew more than 300 participants and exceeded the organizers’ expectations, a sign that the push to attract families was succeeding, Cummings said.

“We feel like the turnout (at the children’s parade) was a real positive indication that people are interested in bringing their kids out to an event like this,” she said. “I think that a family styled event is more suitable to the Thousand Oaks of today.”

Activities for children will include finger-painting, clay play, a miniature putting green, panning for gold and an educational corner.

There will also be story-telling, a science fair and a photography exhibit in a part of the children’s tent called “Conservation Corner,” which will focus on environmental issues.

And there will be booths that carry books and videos on parenting.

Of course, Cummings said, all of the traditional carnival events will be held as well.

Bingo, a rodeo, a country-Western dance, carnival rides and a barbecue pit are all on the schedule for the five-day festival.

Also planned is the annual Conejo Valley Days parade down Thousand Oaks Boulevard between Duesenberg Drive and Erbes Road at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Parade Chairman Bill Steele said this year’s version will be smaller than in previous years, with 130 entries.

“We have equestrian entries, local marching bands, floats, classic automobiles and even a few dignitaries and council people joining us this year,” Steele said. “It’s a real local, hometown effort.”

A hometown feel is also the goal of today’s chili cook-off and Whiskeroo Contest, organizers said.

“The chili cook-off is like a class reunion for everyone from the Thousand Oaks area,” said Stan Cowan, chairman of the event. “I’m amazed at the number of times I see people who run into each other and say, ‘Hey, I haven’t seen you since last year.’ ”

The cook-off, which includes a record 65 chili chefs stirring up fiery concoctions, is expected to draw 10,000 to 12,000 visitors, Cowan said.

The event has a $2 chili fee and is the largest fund-raiser of the season for its sponsor, the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club. Last year, the club raised $30,000, all of which went to local charities and organizations, Cowan said.

At 1 p.m. today, chili eaters will be joined by a shaggy crowd of Whiskeroo contestants--men who have been grooming their beards for the past few months.

Between 50 and 75 contestants will have their beards judged for such qualities as softness, scrounginess and fullness. Mustaches will also be on display.

“These are the things which make Conejo Valley Days unique,” said Pete Turpel, general chairman of this year’s Conejo Valley Days. “Every year, there are things that are new, but the traditions stick with us.”

This will be the last year, however, that Conejo Valley Days is run by the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, Turpel said.

The chamber has decided to refocus its energies on advancing the interests of local businesses, according to director Steve Rubenstein. The festival will be turned over to a newly formed nonprofit group run by representatives from local service clubs.

Conejo Valley Days Events

All events held at Conejo Creek Park, Moorpark Freeway and Janss Road, unless otherwise noted. Carnival admission is $5 adults, $3 senior citizens and students, $2 children 6 to 12 and free for children under 6. *

TODAY 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Chili Cook-Off, $2 1 p.m.: Whiskeroo Contest

WEDNESDAY 5 to 10 p.m.: Carnival 5:30 p.m.: Ribbon-cutting ceremony 6 p.m.: Badgeroo Contest

THURSDAY Noon: Inter-service club luncheon, Conejo Creek Park North, $16 5 to 10 p.m.: Carnival 7 p.m.: Women’s Western Wear contest

FRIDAY 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Special Children’s Day (invitation-only event for disabled children) 5 p.m. to midnight: Carnival 5 to 10 p.m.: Bingo 6 to 11 p.m.: Junior Rodeo

SATURDAY 9 a.m.: Parade, Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Duesenberg Drive to Erbes Road 11 a.m. to midnight: Carnival Noon to 6 p.m.: Western Pit Bar-B-Que, $5.50 adults, $4.50 children 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.: Rodeo 2 to 10 p.m.: Bingo

MAY 1 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Carnival Noon to 6 p.m.: Western Pit Bar-B-Que, $5.50 adults, $4.50 children Noon to 8 p.m.: Bingo 1 and 4 p.m.: Rodeo