Kids On Parade Get Into Country and Western Spirit

A group of 350 rowdy youths--some carrying pistols and others whips--marched on City Hall on Saturday morning.

But this was no band of juvenile delinquents. In fact, their parents cheered as the pint-sized desperadoes stomped and whooped.

The excited youngsters were riding out the last few days before the Conejo Valley Days festival with the annual Children’s Parade.

Though the marchers were young--ages ranged from 14 months to 13 years--they had old-fashioned heroes.

“I watch John Wayne once in awhile,” said Timmy Manning, an 8-year-old with a cowboy hat on his head and a toy gun strapped to his waist. He said the Old West’s rough riders were the ultimate tough guys, because “they always got flipped off horses and got back up.”

Timmy was part of a miniature cavalcade that filled the winding half-mile-long walkway outside the City Hall and performing arts center.

Kid-size covered wagons and baton-twirling cowgirls moved past a delighted audience of Conejo Valley residents.

Moms joined the procession to line dance with their daughters to “Achy Breaky Heart,” and little boys shot off pop-guns. One group of perspiring parents pushed a mobile corral of make-believe outlaws.

The parade even drew some renegades who bucked the traditional country-and-western theme for their own galactic leanings: a young couple dressed as “Star Wars” characters Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia.

“The kids just have a great time,” said parade organizer Jo Ann Malter. “This is their day to shine.”

Though the morning was overcast, nobody seemed to mind, focusing instead on watching children relish the spotlight.

Some kids said they put a considerable amount of effort into making the parade special.

“It was a lot of hard work,” said cowgirl Nicole Tejada, who led a team of baton twirlers from Pinecrest School in Thousand Oaks.

Her father, one of several hundred parents on hand to cheer their children, said baton twirling is serious business.

“We keep her busy,” Robert Tejada said. “She plays soccer half the year. The baton twirling is for her upper body.”

Along the sidelines, an unofficial parade of adult spectators pushed baby strollers around the grassy front of the Civic Arts Plaza.

Bryan Garrick of Thousand Oaks came to watch with his 2 1/2-year-old son, Brett. He said the parade, which attracted participants from the San Fernando Valley and cities throughout Ventura County, helped publicize local landmarks.

“It’s nice for the public to come out and see City Hall,” he said.

The parade is one of several events leading up to the annual springtime festival that helps civic groups raise money and pays tribute to the area’s rural heritage. After a chili cook-off today, Conejo Valley Days officially kicks off with a carnival Wednesday at Conejo Creek Park.

The adults will have their chance to march before an audience at next Saturday’s Conejo Valley Days Parade.

And festival organizers late Friday announced the parade’s grand marshal: Kirk Keeler, the top fund-raiser in a pre-festival drive that brought about $75,000 to Conejo Valley civic groups.

Keeler, who represents his Thousand Oaks Elks lodge, bested seven other individuals and a group of six 11-year-old girls to become grand marshal.

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Children’s Parade Winners Optimist “Friend of Youth” Sweepstakes Trophy: Angelica Lynn Bursey, individual; Girl Scout troops 628 and 894, group.

Optimist “Friend of Youth” Theme Award: Miles Shapiro, individual; Los Cerritos Middle School Connections, group.

The Arnold McCarly “Creativity” Trophy: George Brooks, individual; LDS Pioneer Club, Thousand Oaks, group.

Equestrian: Stephen Wertheimer, first.

Individuals: Zoe Lemieux, first; Ross Bellinghere, second; Anthony Roth, third.

Large Groups: Conejo Cowpokes, first; Sunshine Generation, second; Pioneer Club of First Christian Church of Newbury Park, third.

Civic Groups: Thousand Oaks Little League T-Ball, first; Brownie Troop 470 of St. Paschal Baylon, second; Girl Scout Troop 660 of Meadows Elementary School, third.

Small groups: Little Outlaws, first; Danielle, Kostner and Emily, second; Ben and Kate Champion (Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia), and Chewbacca, third.

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Conejo Valley Days Events

All events held at Conejo Creek Park, Moorpark Freeway and Janss Road, unless otherwise noted. Carnival admission is $5 adults, $3 senior citizens and students, $2 children 6 to 12 and free for children under 6. On all nights except Thursday’s Family Night, receive $1 off admission price for taking shuttle bus from Newbury Park or Thousand Oaks high school.

TODAY

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Chili Cook-Off and Wiskeroo Contest, Conejo Creek Park ($3 admission plus 50 cents for tickets to taste chili)

WEDNESDAY

5 to 10 p.m.: Carnival opens

6 p.m.: Badgeroo Contest

THURSDAY

Noon: Interservice club luncheon, Joseph’s on the Green, $18

5 to 10 p.m.: Carnival

5 to 10 p.m.: Carnival Family Night, admission is $3 adults, $2 senior citizens and students, $1 children 6 to 12, $5 unlimited ride wristbands

6:45 p.m.: Wild Heart, Main Stage

7 p.m.: Children’s entertainment

7:30 p.m.: Country-western star Juice Newton, Main Stage

FRIDAY

9 a.m. to noon: Invitation-only event for children who are handicapped, Midway

5 p.m. to midnight: Carnival

5 to 10 p.m.: Bingo

7 p.m.: Your Moose, Main Stage

8 p.m.: The Turtles, Main Stage

10:30 p.m.: Lizards of Wisdom, Main Stage

SATURDAY

9 a.m.: Parade, Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Duesenberg Drive to Erbes Road

Noon to midnight: Carnival

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

1:30 and 4:40 p.m.: Rodeo

2 to 10 p.m.: Bingo

7 p.m.: Singer Chrissy Lomax, Main Stage

8:30 p.m: Singer Eddie Money, Main Stage

10:30 p.m.: Peter and the Wolves, Main Stage

APRIL 27

Noon to 8 p.m.: Carnival

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

Noon to 8 p.m.: Bingo

1 and 4 p.m.: Rodeo

1 p.m.: Paul DeLay Band, Main Stage

3 p.m.: Bruce Brothers Band, Main Stage

5 p.m.: Flattop Tom and His Jumpcats, Main Stage