Parade Attracts Traditionalists and Critics

Waving beauty queens, cowboy-hatted politicians and singing children streamed down Thousand Oaks Boulevard on Saturday as the city celebrated Conejo Valley Days with a parade that onlookers said hasn’t changed in years.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid,” said Thousand Oaks resident Mike Tuckmantel. “It’s pretty much the same.”

And so is Tuckmantel’s routine: Arrive early, stake out a spot with lawn chairs and blankets and arm the kids with a can of liquid string.

“It’s traditional and it’s fun,” said his sister-in-law, Tracy Anderson, referring to the procession and the string--a messy must for children.

Scores of kids begged money from their parents to buy the brightly colored stuff from vendors to squirt at passing square dancers, tuba players and baton-twirlers.

“Clowns,” explained Tuckmantel, “make the best targets.”

Similar parade traditions reigned among other on-lookers:

For some, it was breakfast at McDonald’s before the procession; for others, it was returning to the same spot each year.

Thousand Oaks residents Helen and Jim Collins have watched the annual event from the same shaded bench 12 times.

“It’s kind of fun to see all the kids and the bands, and the weather is always nice,” Jim Collins said.

But while some basked in the traditions of the decades-old ritual, others complained that this year’s parade lacked spirit.

“It finally lost its oomph,” said Hazel Allan, a Thousand Oaks resident who has watched the parade for 36 years and has been in it 15 times.

Others wondered at the long lulls in the procession, saying it moved too slowly--so slowly that Thousand Oaks resident Nick Messier had time to get a haircut in Pete’s Barber Shop.

“I’m killing time, waiting for my float to come down the route,” he said.

Thousand Oaks resident Jerri Church, a longtime parade-watcher, complained that the procession lacked floats.

“It’s all horses and cars,” she said. “It’s OK, but there are not as many people here. I think they are getting tired of it.”

Although others wondered about low attendance, organizers estimated that 6,000 to 10,000 people lined the mile-long stretch of Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

And parade chairman John Stankiewiz wasn’t the least bit bothered by those seeking to rain on his parade.

“It was better than last year’s,” he said. “We had new sponsors and even some out-of-the area bands.”

One of them, the North Park Middle School Band of Pico Rivera, is the first junior high school band in 50 years to be accepted for the Rose Bowl Parade.

Like Stankiewiz, some residents would not be deterred from enjoying the procession.

“I think it’s a great parade,” said Tripp Chambon after overhearing complaints of a parade route neighbor that “even the Shriners” weren’t as jolly as in the past.

Nearby, lifelong Thousand Oaks resident Jennifer Albaeck said that the parade lacked luster, but that she would probably come back next year.

“It’s tradition,” said her mother, Phyllis Bell. “She did it, and now she is bringing her kids here.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Conejo Valley Days

Events and Entertainment

DETAILS

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

* WHEN: Noon to 8 p.m. today.

* 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: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

* CALL: CVD hotline information, 371-8730.

*

SCHEDULE

TODAY

* 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.