THOUSAND OAKS : Mall Goes Western for Tots’ Pageant

Given their druthers, a few of the Conejo Valley Days “Tiny Tots Pageant” contestants might have preferred watching Saturday morning cartoons over braving the walk down an elevated runway in front of dozens of smiling strangers.

In all, 27 girls and 11 boys, ages 4 to 7, walked the plank--some adorably eager, others beaming confidently--at The Oaks shopping mall in Thousand Oaks. The competition was this year’s second offering of the 39th annual Western-themed community celebration.

Decked out in cowboy boots and hats, studded leather chaps, holsters, spurs, country-Western dresses and the like, the youngsters paraded down the runway one by one as an emcee read a brief profile of each child.

Some chose to be guided by the protective hand of a pageant assistant when camera-toting parents and other onlookers surrounding the T-shaped stage proved to be a little nerve-racking.

Fresh off the runway with arms wrapped tightly around her mother and cowboy hat tossed aside, Juliette Bucher, 4, described how the experience made her feel: “Nervous!”

“This is really cute, and it’s a lot fun for the kids,” said Sandy Bucher of Thousand Oaks, whose daughter, Jackie, 6, also participated.

Bucher noted that some parents seemed to take the competition a little more seriously than others.

“Some people went out and spent a lot of money on their child’s outfit,” she said, chuckling.

Contestants were judged on personality, stage poise, confidence and overall appearance, said pageant director Frank Lussier. “It’s all about getting the children involved in Conejo Valley Days,” he said.

Conejo Valley Days will culminate with a carnival April 26-30 at Janss and Moorpark roads.

On Saturday, each child received a gift pack for participating, and a Tiny Tot king and queen were crowned. This year’s Queen Tiny Tot honors went to Kaitlyn Bell, 4, of Thousand Oaks.

As Brandon Nielsen, 5, was explaining how he skipped his baseball game to take part in the pageant, he heard his name announced over the loudspeaker as the chosen King Tiny Tot.

A speechless and wide-eyed Brandon--a coonskin-cap-wearing Davy Crockett look-alike--was coaxed to the stage by his parents, Craig and Linda Nielsen of Thousand Oaks.

“Now I’m sure he thinks he made the right decision missing his game,” said Craig Nielsen.