Arts Festival Will Let Kids Express Talent

Although Thousand Oaks might not produce the next Leonardo da Vinci, that won’t stop some kids from doing their best imitations Saturday.

The Children’s Festival of the Arts, a joint effort of the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Conejo Valley Chapter of the National Charity League, will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on the north side of Conejo Creek Park at 1379 E. Janss Road.

The festival will have 20 free arts-and-crafts booths where children can make watercolor bookmarks and wood projects, said Patti Ricketts, a recreation coordinator with the park district.

Thousand Oaks provided $2,000 to help fund the event. The festival is part of the city’s Celebration 2000, which included the city’s Arbor Day and Earth Day celebrations and Labor Day concert.

Officials expect at least 800 children will attend.

“We just sort of put everything out there that maybe [kids] don’t get to do at school or home, and give them an opportunity for self-expression,” Ricketts said.

The event will also have its share of entertainers, including a juggler, a magician and singers, Ricketts said.

For more information, call the Thousand Oaks Center at (805) 381-2793.