Being Best-Dressed Cowgirl--or Cowboy--No Snap

In a fit of Conejo Valley Days fever, about 30 local residents traded in their street clothes Thursday evening for Western duds as they competed for the title of best-dressed cowgirl--and cowboy.

For the first time, men and children were invited to join what has traditionally been the exclusive domain of Thousand Oaks cowgirls--the Women’s Western Wear contest.

The competition was conceived several years ago as a complement to the testosterone-driven Whiskeroo Contest in which men compete for the softest, longest and most unique beards and mustaches, said Conejo Valley Days organizer Mary Elva Anderson.

But this is the politically correct ‘90s--time to drop the word “women” and open the contest to all.

“We didn’t want to be sexist,” said Nancy Bruchs, the event’s chairwoman.

Men--and women--welcomed the change.

The men were few in number--only four joined. This year’s winner in the men’s category, Anthony “Tombstone Tony” Redburn, spoke for all when he said it was about time the event went coed.

“Women can’t have a monopoly on everything,” he joked.

Indeed, they don’t, countered the gals, pointing out that the Whiskeroo Contest is inherently sexist.

What’s more, they shot back, last year’s nearly all-male panel of judges chose only the “cute” girls to win.

“It was anything froufrou that won,” said Winnie Riedell, a Newbury Park resident who grew up on an Arizona ranch. “I know what traditional is and what won was not traditional.”

This year, she placed first in the contemporary category with an outfit that included a fringed suede vest, a beaded Indian bolo, and her 18-year-old parade boots.

To prevent a repeat of last year’s contest results, Thursday’s panel of 12 was composed of five men and seven women, all of whom were warned ahead of time that the Western Wear Contest was about the clothes, not the body wearing them, said Ruth Cisowski, co-chairwoman of the event. “This is not a strut-your-stuff type of thing,” Cisowski said.

Participants fell right in line with the new philosophy, sporting duds that would put Roy Rodgers and Dale Evans to shame.

Thousand Oaks yuppies, chided as “weekend cowboys,” shed their suits for studded, beaded and sequined vests and the requisite Wrangler jeans while ranchers brought out their snakeskin and silver-tipped boots.

The best overall costume went to 16-year-old Jessica Szegedi, Miss Teen Conejo Valley-Thousand Oaks, who wore a blouse patterned with a Western landscape.

In accordance with the contest’s new guiding principles, entrants were given extra points for community service and costumes that were homemade.

Simi Valley resident Onorina Gargiulo won first place in the traditional category for her handmade, denim-and-lace dress with pearl studs.

Although they brought out their best duds for the contest, most entrants said they would be sporting Western wear until the end of the fair on Sunday.

Western clothing outfitters said business is booming, thanks to Conejo Valley Days and the Academy of Country Music Awards ceremony televised Wednesday night.

What are Conejo Valley cowboys and girls looking for?

“Personality,” said Lloyd Cleland, manager of Howard & Phil’s Western Wear store in Thousand Oaks.

Among this year’s most popular style in hats, the Ambush, is one that has lots of it, he said.

It’s a hat with more roll to the brim than most, so it doesn’t look “brand new” or “out of the box,” Cleland said.

Other hot items are brightly colored, boldly patterned shirts from the Garth Brooks’ line of Western wear.

‘They’re more hip,” said Sydney Kane Mathis, manager of Hilltop Feed & Ranch Store in Thousand Oaks.

The Brooks shirt features buttons, instead of snaps, which are passe, she said.

But try telling that to the handful of old-timers sporting snaps Thursday night.

“They’ll never be out,” roared Phil Berman, the Conejo Valley Days Rodeo announcer for the past 24 years. “When it comes to snaps, I don’t care what you say. For the working cowboy, there is no other way.”

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Conejo Valley Days

Events and Entertainment

DETAILS

* WHERE: Conejo Creek Park, Moorpark Freeway and Janss Road, Thousand Oaks.

* WHEN: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

* COST: Events free with admission to the fair: adults, $5; students and senior citizens, $4; children 6 to 12, $3; children under 6, free.

* GETTING THERE: Fair-goers can save $1 off admission by riding a free shuttle bus from Thousand Oaks or Newbury Park high schools. Buses depart hourly from both schools: 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

* CALL: CVD hotline information, 371-8730.

SCHEDULE

TONIGHT

* Special Kids Day. Volunteers are needed to help about 300 disabled children invited to enjoy the fair at 10 a.m., before doors open to the public. For details, call 492-2238.

* Junior Rodeo, noon, in the rodeo arena.

* Bingo, 5 to 10 p.m. (also 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday).

* Local blues group, the Rick Ambrose Band, 7 p.m.

* A night of classic rock music begins at 8 p.m. with local band the Big Ugly Dummies.

* Canned Heat headlines at 9 p.m.

* Local group Side Show takes the stage at 10:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

* Conejo Valley Days Parade, 9 a.m. Grand Marshal Harvey “Boothill” Bollinger leads the floats, clowns and marching bands down Thousand Oaks Boulevard from the post office at Duesenberg Drive to Erbes Road.

* Western Pit Barbecue, noon to 6 p.m. (also Sunday).

* Rodeos, 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. (also 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday) in the rodeo arena.

* Tiny Tot Children’s Pageant, 3 p.m. Children, ages 3 to 8, dress up in their western best.

* Clog dancers, 5 p.m.

* Warner Sankman, traditional folk and country troubadour, 7 p.m.

* The Monte Carlos perform rock oldies, 8:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

* Family Country Fun Day: a mix of traditional, Top 40 and original country music, with KHAY radio personalities offering prizes and giveaways.

* Ralph Payne and Trouble perform Top 40 country tunes, 1 p.m.

* Kathy Bailey’s Country in Motion performing dance troupe, 2 p.m.

* Midnight Train, contemporary and original country music, 3 p.m.

* Camarillo-based Tropical Taste Band plays Hawaiian-country music, 4 p.m.

* Caught Red Handed plays Top 40 and traditional country songs, 4:30 p.m.

* The Phillip Norris Band, rock and country, 6 p.m.