SIMI VALLEY : Barn Dance, Picnic Fete City’s History

Simi Valley will kick off its 200th anniversary celebration of the signing of the El Rancho Simi Spanish land grant this weekend with a barn dance, family picnic and train depot open house.

A prelude to the annual Simi Valley Days carnival later this month, the barn dance will start the city shaking at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Strathearn Historical Park with country music, a Mexican dance troupe and mariachis. For $20, revelers can dine on barbecued steak and twirl to the tunes of Darlene O’Connell and the Dixie Flyers and other groups.

Proceeds will be donated to the Simi Valley Historical Society to maintain the organization’s grounds and to publish a history of the city.

During Day in the Park at Rancho Tapo Park on Sunday, the brave and the merely curious can ride a hot-air balloon 10 stories into the sky. Other activities will include a cakewalk, old-fashioned carnival games, music and a Moon Bounce for children. Admission to the event, which runs from noon to 5 p.m., is free.

Though organizers encourage families to pack their lunch, community groups will peddle hot dogs, ice cream and other edibles.

“It is a family event,” said Ann Duran, one of the organizers. “People can enjoy time with their families yet be at a fund-raiser.”

Duran said proceeds from the event will go to the Simi Valley Education Foundation and the Special Awareness Computer Center, which adapts computers to disabled children.

The old train depot, now being restored, will hold an open house in Santa Susana Park on Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information on the barn dance or Day in the Park, call 529-2802 or 522-0509.