62nd Annual Ventura Gem & Mineral Society Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show on March 1-2, 2025

Ventura Gem & Mineral Society presents its 62nd Annual Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show at Seaside Park, Ventura County Fairgrounds. on Saturday, March 1st (10 am to 5 pm) and Sunday, March 2nd (10 am to 4 pm).

Explore gems, minerals, rocks, fossils, jewelry, exhibits, displays, prizes, dealers, silent auction, kids' activities, plant sale and more.

FREE admission. There’s a fee for parking.  More information at www.vgms.org.

These are great family friendly shows. Event hosts love sharing their knowledge with attendees.  Good, old fashioned fun, with typically dozens and dozens of displays, information, demonstrations, etc.

77th Annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show on March 7-9, 2025

The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show returns to Earl Warren Showgrounds March 7-9, 2025. Show hours are 9am to 5pm daily.

This is the longest running and one of the largest annual orchid shows in the United States. General admission to the show is $20 for one day; $30 for a 3-day pass. Children 12 and under are free with paying adult. Tickets are available in advance at www.sborchidshow.com.

The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to share the joy of the orchid world and educates the public about orchids via its annual show.

2024 Ventura Winter Wine Walk & Holiday Street Fair on Saturday, December 7th

The Ventura Winter Wine Walk & Holiday Street Fair will take place in downtown Ventura on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 12 pm-8 pm.

The day kicks off with the Holiday Street Fair starting at 12 pm from the Museum of Ventura County through the 600 block of Main Street with vendors and live entertainment. Shop artists, crafters, non-profit organizations, commercial and food vendors. The street fair and entertainment are free and open to the public!

At 4 pm, the Ventura Winter Wine Walk gets started! The wine walk will showcase world class wineries in your favorite downtown businesses. Each guest will receive a tasting cup and a map of the participating tasting sites in downtown Ventura. Each tasting site will have a designated area set up for Wine Walk guests to sample the amazing wines! Wine tasting will end at 7 pm.

Learn more and buy tickets at www.venturawinterwinewalk.com.

2024 Moorpark Country Days Parade on Saturday, October 5th

The Moorpark Country Days Parade will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024 on Historic High Street between Moorpark Ave. and Spring Rd. in Moorpark. The parade, with the theme “Homegrown Happiness,” will begin at 10 a.m.

Due to resource and attendance issues in recent years, there will not be a street fair after this year’s parade.

Visit www.moorparkcountrydays.com for more information.

Simi Valley Street Fair on Saturday, October 26, 2024

The Simi Valley Street Fair is planned for Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Simi Town Center Way. Event to include vendors, live entertainment, beer and wine garden, city expo, free kids’ fun zone and more. Free admission. Learn more at simivalleystreetfair.com.

32nd Annual Thousand Oaks Rotary Street Fair on Sunday, October 20, 2024

The 32nd Annual Thousand Oaks Rotary Street Fair will take place on Sunday, October 20, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Moorpark Road between Hillcrest and Wilbur Road in Thousand Oaks, in between Janss Marketplace and Best Buy. Plenty of parking in the adjacent shopping centers and streets.

The Thousand Oaks Rotary Street Fair continues this great event with over 19,000 expected attendees and over 300 vendor booths.

Featuring artisans specializing in hand-made products and a Kids Fun Zone with games, crafts, jumpers, soft drinks and pizza. Live music and entertainment too. Free admission!

For more information, visit tostreetfair.com.

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24th Annual Pooch Parade Dog Walk and Pet Expo in Ventura on Sunday, August 18, 2024

Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) will host its 24th Annual Pooch Parade on Sunday, August 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join C.A.R.L. and its adoptable rescue dogs for a day of fun in the sun at Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura. This year’s theme is “Fun, Sun, Sand, and Supporting Rescue Dogs!” And if you’re inclined, dress yourself and your pup up in the most fun beach inspired wear you can find! 

Nearly 20 vendors from Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles Counties will host booths at the Parade. A sampling includes Sailor & Friends Pet Supply, Search Dog Foundation, Dogtown VTA, Damsel in Defense, All for Love Animal Rescue, and California State University Channel Islands. Dog agility demonstrations and C.A.R.L.dog adoptions will also be on-site.

Admission is free. The cost to participate in the Parade, which starts at 11 a.m., is $45. Participants can register on the event day at the registration booth. Parade teams must consist of at least four adult participants. Individuals and teams who raise the highest amounts will receive a special prize. For registration questions, contact Sheila Hernandez at carlvolunteer@gmail.com.

Parade participants will receive a complimentary event T-shirt featuring this year’s Pooch Parade logo on the front and sponsors’ names on the back. Proceeds from the Parade will support the feeding and medical care of adoptable dogs at the C.A.R.L. Pet Care Center and the paid staff who care for them in Santa Paula.

Learn more and register at poochparade.org.

Thousand Oaks Library LibCon Pop Culture Convention on Saturday/Sunday, August 10-11, 2024

The Thousand Oaks Library LibCon Pop Culture Convention will take place on Saturday, August 10, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Sunday, August 11, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Pre-register for the event to get exclusive updates and an opportunity to win a special LibCon pin! Free tote bags and lanyards will be available to attendees while supplies last. Learn more at www.tolibrary.org/libcon

The Libcon events lineup is as follows:

Saturday, August 10:

Badge Ribbons

Saturday, August 10 • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm • Throughout the Library

Win unique and colorful badge ribbons by participating in programs and completing activities. Add the ribbons to your LibCon badge to show off your fan-tastic feats!

Don't Just Stand There Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, August 10 • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm • Throughout the Library

Discover all the cool corners of LibCon as you look for cardboard cutouts of your favorite characters! Complete the search to earn a special badge ribbon and the chance to win a $20 Book Sale Gift Card from the Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library.

Artist Alley

Saturday, August 10 • 10:00 am - 4:00 pm • GRB Recent Returns Area

Walk down an alley of local Artists selling goods related to geek culture! Things for sale include prints, buttons, key chains, comics, and more! Some artists will be offering free portfolio reviews.

Exhibitors

Saturday, August 10 • 10:00 am - 4:00 pm • GRB Mural Area

Stop by some of our local business and organization booths for giveaways and more! Participating organizations can be found on our Exhibitors page.

Kazu Kibuishi Author Talk

Saturday, August 10 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Kazu Kibuishi is the writer and artist of the New York Times Bestselling Amulet graphic novel series.

Gundam Model Building Class

Saturday, August 10 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Learn the basics steps of how to build your own Gundam model. Participants will get to take home one Entry Grade RX-78-2 Gundam model kit, a par of hobby nippers, and a Gundam marker. For ages 11+. Registration required.

Painting TTRPG Miniatures

Saturday, August 10 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • GRB Teen Space

Try your hand at painting tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) miniatures! Choose from 17 designs of heroes and monsters.

Food Trucks

Saturday, August 10 • 11:30 am – 2:00 pm • GRB Library Parking Lot

Stop by our visiting food trucks to purchase lunch or a tasty treat before diving back into the con! Saturday, we will have Okamoto and Kona Ice available, and Sunday will feature Kona Ice, Cinnabon, and Mister Softee.

Kazu Kibuishi Book Signing

Saturday, August 10 • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm • GRB Mural Area

Directly after the author talk, Kazu Kibuishi will be available to sign books. Books can either be brought from home or purchased at the Friends of the Library Table.

501st Legion

Saturday, August 10 • 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm • Throughout the Library

The 501st Legion is an international costuming organization dedicated to celebrating Star Wars by creating and using quality costumes that portray the villainous, morally ambiguous, or non-partisan characters from the Star Wars universe.

Anime Lounge

Saturday, August 10 • 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Take a break from the crowds to relax and watch some anime. Open to all ages with parental consent. A list of anime titles, their US ratings, and scheduled times will be displayed outside the room.

Ultimate Geek Trivia Showdown

Saturday, August 10 • 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Come with your team of 2-5 to compete in the ultimate geek trivia showdown for a chance to win a $50 Target gift card! Registration required.

Inkarnate Map Building Demo

Saturday, August 10 • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Teen Space

Join us for a demo on how to build a fantasy map online using Inkarnate!

Cosplay MasqueRave

Saturday, August 10 • 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm • GRB Community Room

Half dance party, half fashion show—come dance your heart out and showcase your cosplay skills! The audience will vote for the best cosplayer of the afternoon, who will win a $100 gift card prize.

Sunday, August 11:

Badge Ribbons

Sunday, August 11 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • Throughout the Library

Win unique and colorful badge ribbons by participating in programs and completing activities. Add the ribbons to your LibCon badge to show off your fan-tastic feats!

Don't Just Stand There Scavenger Hunt

Sunday, August 11 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • Throughout the Library

Discover all the cool corners of LibCon as you look for cardboard cutouts of your favorite characters! Complete the search to earn a special badge ribbon and the chance to win a $20 Book Sale Gift Card from the Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library.

Artist Alley

Sunday, August 11 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Recent Returns Area

Walk down an alley of local Artists selling goods related to geek culture! Things for sale include prints, buttons, key chains, comics, and more! Some artists will be offering free portfolio reviews.

Exhibitors

Sunday, August 11 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Mural Area

Stop by some of our local business and organization booths for giveaways and more! Participating organizations can be found on our Exhibitors page.

Food Trucks

Sunday, August 11 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Library Parking Lot

Stop by our visiting food trucks to purchase lunch or a tasty treat before diving back into the con! Saturday, we will have Okamoto and Kona Ice available, and Sunday will feature Kona Ice, Cinnabon, and Mister Softee.

501st Legion

Sunday, August 11 • 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm • Throughout the Library

The 501st Legion is an international costuming organization dedicated to celebrating Star Wars by creating and using quality costumes that portray the villainous, morally ambiguous, or non-partisan characters from the Star Wars universe.

Lego Free Play

Sunday, August 11 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Children's Program Room

Attendees of all ages are welcome to come join us and show off their building skills! Large and small Lego blocks will be available.

Virtual Reality

Sunday, August 11 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Teen Space

Check out Oculus Go and Oculus Quest. You can also try 10-minute sessions at the library to explore new worlds.

LibCon Lounge

Sunday, August 11 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Teen Space

Head to the LibCon Lounge for casual drawing activities, board games, and video games. Create your own comics or drawings, play games with friends, or hang out and read.

Anime Lounge

Sunday, August 11 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Take a break from the crowds to relax and watch some anime. Open to all ages with parental consent. A list of anime titles, their US ratings, and scheduled times will be displayed outside the room.

Aiden Thomas Author Talk

Sunday, August 11 • 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm • GRB Community Room

Aiden Thomas is the author of the New York Times bestselling book Cemetery Boys.

Aiden Thomas Book Signing

Sunday, August 11 • 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm • GRB Mural Area

Directly after the author talk, Aiden Thomas will be available to sign books. Books can either be brought from home or purchased at the Friends of the Library Table.

Button Making

Sunday, August 11 • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm • GRB Teen Space

Create buttons out of graphic novel and book pages.

Dragon Ball FighterZ Tournament

Sunday, August 11 • 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Competitors will face each other in one-on-one matches in an elimination style tournament to determine the top 3 players. Registration required. For ages 13+. Free play open to all ages with parental consent. 

150th Anniversary Ventura County Fair to Take Place July 31 to August 11, 2024

The 2024 Ventura County Fair will take place July 31 to August 11 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Boulevard in Ventura.

The fair features arts, crafts, food, exhibits, displays, demonstrations, farm animals, petting zoo, carnival rides, games and entertainment. More information at www.VenturaCountyFair.org.

General Admission Prices:  

Pre-sale: Ages 13-64 $15/day, Ages 6-12 $10/day, Ages 65+ $10/day, Ages 0-5 free

Regular admission (July 31-August 11): Ages 13-64 $20, Ages 6-12 $15, Ages 65+ $15, Ages 0-5 free

Parking at the Ventura County Fair is $20.00 per car. Parking at the Fairgrounds is limited. Free shuttle buses are provided from the Ventura Government Center, Pacific View Mall, Ventura Community Park, Ventura High School and San Buenaventura State Beach (with parking fee). See venturacountyfair.org/fair/free-shuttles-transportation.

The fair opens at noon on weekends and opening day and at 1pm on other weekdays. Midway closes no later than midnight and not before 11pm.

Special Promotion Days:

  • Wednesday, July 31 – $3 before 3pm

  • Friday, August 2 – Youth Day - Visitors ages 12 and under will be admitted free all day with paid adult admission.

  • Monday, August 5 – 805 Day $5 admission before 5pm.

  • Tuesday, August 6 – Seniors & Persons with Disabilities Day - All Ventura County Fair visitors ages 65 or better and disabled persons and one companion will be admitted free all day. Gates will open early at 11am this day only.

  • Thursday, August 8 – Military Appreciation Day and First Responder Day - All military with current, valid ID and first responders admitted free.

  • Friday, August 9 - Food Share Day

Carnival Wristband Days will be August 1, 6 and 7. $45 for ride wristbands that can be used until 7pm these days.

Regular fair hours are 12pm to 12am daily

Entertainment Lineup (All concerts are free; VIP seats available for each concert for an additional charge.)

  • Wednesday, July 31 – I Love the 90’s Tour (with Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc, Sugarhill Gang, C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams)

  • Thursday, August 1 – Brantley Gilbert

  • Friday, August 2 – Sublime with Rome

  • Saturday, August 3 – Dustin Lynch

  • Sunday, August 4 – Los Tucanes de Tijuana y Tap Quinter

  • Monday, August 5 - Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias

  • Tuesday, August 6 – Ludacris

  • Wednesday, August 7 – Gary Allan

Flying U Rodeo is on 8/9 at 7pm, 8/10 at 2pm and 7pm and 8/11 at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets can be purchased online or in person for $8 to $10 per ticket.

2024 Malibu Chili Cook-Off August 30 to September 2

The 2024 Annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off will take place on Labor Day weekend, August 30 to September 2 at 23575 Civic Center Way. Hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu.

ADVANCE TICKET SALES ONLY! TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD ONSITE. Tickets at malibuchilicookoff.org.. Carnival tickets will be sold separately.

Event hour are 4-10PM Friday, 1-10PM Saturday/Sunday and 1-8PM Monday.

Event features chili contest, carnival, fair, skate contest, live entertainment, food for sale, vendors, etc.

Event parking is $20, cash only.

Learn more and purchase tickets at bgcmalibuchilicookoff.org.