Use of Conejo Days Shuttle Buses Urged by Officials : Thousand Oaks: Crowds and long lines can be avoided by attending during the day, they say. Disabled children enjoy a special visit.

For the tens of thousands expected to jam Conejo Creek park for Conejo Valley Days this weekend, it is already too late to take advantage of the choicest advice from organizers.

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“The best thing is, come Wednesday night when there’s no crowd,” general Chairman Tom Glancy said.

Still, for those hoping to attack the sprawling Western-themed festival without waiting in line forever, organizers offered a selection of tips on everything from parking to timing.

Glancy said visitors can avoid “atrocious” lines to get into the parking lot at the Conejo Valley Days site by instead using the lots at Thousand Oaks High School, Newbury Park High School or GTE near the Hyatt Westlake Plaza. Those who use the satellite lots and the free shuttle buses can also buy admission tickets on the bus at a dollar off the regular prices.

“We’re really trying to push using the shuttles,” Glancy said.

Glancy also said visitors hoping to avoid the worst crowds should come during the day. The carnival opens at noon today after the Conejo Valley Days parade finishes its march down Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

But while daytime visitors miss the longest lines, they also face the worst of the heat. Glancy warned that one or two visitors each year pass out from dehydration. Even though cloudy skies and temperatures in the 70s are forecast, he cautioned visitors to drink plenty of water.

By nightfall, teen-agers normally begin to fill the carnival grounds off Janss Road, and long lines form at ticket booths and the most popular rides. Carnival-goers should find that at least one of the five ticket booths will offer only a short wait, Glancy suggested.

Tickets were not a problem Friday morning for about 400 special education students who attended the Special Childrens Day. All the rides were free.

“I’m having a great time. It’s really special,” said Katie Bedrosian, a volunteer helping Randy, 7, navigate a maze of carnival rides.

Randy clutched Bedrosian’s fingers in one hand and toted an inflatable electric guitar in the other. Then Bedrosian held the guitar as Randy piloted an airplane around and around until the ride finally stopped and the pair headed for the Ferris wheel.

Nearby, Doug Kroker watched as Shawn, 11, let his fingers play over the dashboard switches that controlled spotlights and sirens in a Sheriff’s Department cruiser.

As sirens blared and lights flashed on and off, Kroker reflected on the busy morning. “It’s been fun,” he said. “We went on just about all of the rides.”

While two merry-go-rounds creaked and a ride called Flying Jumbos gave the disabled children a chance to ride in pink elephants, the sheriff’s cars and motorcycles seemed to provide the biggest thrills Friday morning.

“They’re having a great time. I’m having a great time,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Jody Keller-Smith, who was showing children how to use the lights and sirens.

The Zonta Club of the Conejo Valley organized the morning, with help from several other community organizations that donated food, gifts and services. The carnival workers volunteered their time, and even the bus drivers who delivered the children from schools all over eastern Ventura County donated their work.

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Conejo Valley Days

All events are held at Conejo Creek Park, Moorpark Freeway and Janss Road, unless otherwise noted. Carnival admission is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and students, $2 for children ages 7 to 12 and free for children 6 and under.

TODAY

9 a.m.: Parade, Thousand Oaks Boulevard

Noon to midnight: Carnival

Noon to 6 p.m.: Western pit barbecue; $6 adults, $4.50 children

1:30 and 4:30 p.m.: Rodeo

2 to 10 p.m.: Bingo

SUNDAY

Noon to 8 p.m.: Carnival

Noon to 8 p.m.: Bingo

Noon to 6 p.m.: Western pit barbecue; $6 adults, $4.50 children

1 and 4 p.m.: Rodeo