48th Annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show and Craft Brew Festival on Sunday, May 4, 2025

Mark your calendars for the 48th Annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show & Craft Brew Festival on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Held from noon – 5pm (11:00 am entry for VIP tickets), this family friendly extravaganza will take place at Conejo Creek Park North at Janss Rd & Hwy 23 in Thousand Oaks.

There will be over 40 chili tasting booths – and included with your general admission is free unlimited chili tasting. Returning again is the popular Craft Brew Festival – an event within an event – with a multitude of participating breweries! There will also be a Classic & Custom Car Show in several style and vintage categories and live music on two stages. Also on hand will be over a dozen food trucks and beverage booths and a free kids’ fun zone.

The Chili Cook-Off is proudly presented by the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, with 100% of the net proceeds going to local charities. Tickets will be available in advance, along with more information at www.chili-cook-off.com  

37th Annual Ojai Wine Festival at Lake Casitas on Saturday, June 21, 2025

The 37th Annual Ojai Wine Festival is the longest running wine festival in Ventura County. Overlooking scenic Lake Casitas in the Ojai Valley, The Ojai Wine Festival is an idyllic venue to taste award winning wines, amazing craft beers, fine spirits, ciders, kombucha and spiked seltzers. A bountiful selection of wineries and craft breweries will be represented along with a tempting selection of gourmet food trucks selling delicious culinary cuisine. Patrons can shop to their heart’s delight among the arts and crafts booths. Bid on the Silent Wine Auction featuring fine wines, private tasting parties, VIP tours of wineries, artisan crafts and much more.

Admission includes unlimited tastes of wine, beer and spirits, a keepsake crystal wine glass, live band/lakeside dance floor, shop at the fine artisan vendors & gourmet food trucks & bid on the silent auction. Limited to 2500 people.

Non-drink admission tickets are $25 available only on event day.

Children 12 years and under gain free admission with a paying adult. Children must be always monitored.

Hours are noon to 4pm.

About Ojai Wine Festival

The Ojai Wine Festival is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Ojai-West Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose charitable projects focus on improving education, aiding low-income families, and supporting activities that enrich the lives of area youth. Fitting examples of important projects include our science based Rotary Floating Classroom, Third Grade Dictionary Project, Nordhoff High School’s “Service Above Self” scholarships for graduating seniors, and free Ojai Community Summer Band Concerts. International projects are fostered by the Rotary Foundation through donations from Rotary Club of Ojai West. The Rotary Foundation’s goals are to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.

Visit www.ojaiwinefestival.com to purchase tickets.

32nd Annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival in Camarillo on Sunday, June 1, 2025

The award-winning Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival is back, bringing together an unparalleled showcase of fine wines, gourmet cuisine and community spirit. This premier event, benefitting Casa Pacifica, will take place on Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 1-5PM at California State University Channel Islands. Enjoy an all-inclusive experience featuring unlimited tastings of exceptional food, premium wines, and craft brews as well as complimentary parking and live, all-day entertainment. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at cpwinefoodbrewfest.com.

The Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival is Casa Pacifica’s largest annual fundraiser and supports the agency’s life-changing mental health programs for children, young adults and families.

More information, sponsorship opportunities, and tickets at www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com.

Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families is a crisis-care and residential treatment facility for abused, neglected, or at-risk children in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The agency is the largest non-profit provider of children’s mental health services in both counties and along with its campus-based programs administers a number of community-based programs which are designed with the intent to strengthen families and keep children in their homes. For more information about Casa Pacifica, visit www.casapacifica.org.

39th Annual California Strawberry Festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds May 17-18, 2025

The 39th Annual California Strawberry Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, 2025 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura). Festivalgoers can indulge in strawberry treats from over 50 food and beverage booths. Strawberry-themed nachos, chocolate-dipped strawberries, strawberry kabobs, popcorn, and margaritas are just a few of the choices. The festival also features 150 artists and crafters, a Strawberryland for kids, live entertainment on three stages, carnival rides, and a "build-your-own" strawberry shortcake experience.

Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days. General admission is $15, active military with ID and family and seniors 62 and over, $10, youth ages 5 to 12, $8 and children 4 and under are free. Limited parking onsite. Visitors are encouraged to use the free shuttle service nearby or take advantage of the Ventura Amtrak Station across the street. For more information, go to www.CAStrawberryFestival.org.

IHOP National Pancake Day on Tuesday, March 4, 2025

On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, IHOP restaurants nationwide will celebrate National Pancake Day from 7 am to 8 pm and will offer each guest a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes. In return, IHOP will ask guests to consider donating what they would have paid for the pancakes or more to Children's Miracle Network, Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. IHOP has raised nearly $30 million for charity through this event since 2006!

The free pancakes are limited to one free short stack per guest. Dine in only. More information at www.ihoppancakeday.com.

Local area IHOP locations in Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Fillmore and Ventura.

Senior Concerns Ultimate Dining Experience at Hyatt Regency Westlake on March 15, 2025

Senior Concerns is pleased to announce its 50th Anniversary Ultimate Dining Experience on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Westlake. Program to include honoring legacy families and organizations, special performances, tastings under the tent, dinner and dancing in the ballroom, and a glimpse into the future.

To learn more and reserve your seats, please visit www.seniorconcerns.org/ultimate-dining. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

2024 Annual Community Holiday Dinner in Thousand Oaks on December 25th

Local community members in need are invited to join Temple Adat Elohim in the congregation’s festively decorated social hall, located at 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, for a delicious hot turkey meal with all the fixings. Guests will also enjoy listening to holiday music. Gifts will be available for children.

The Annual Community Holiday Dinner takes place on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 2420 E. Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks. Event is free and open to everyone - nonsectarian - all are welcome.

More information at www.adatelohim.org/connect/social-action/holiday-dinner.

17th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival on Saturday, December 7, 2024

The 17th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival, presented by Oxnard Recreation & Community Services, is planned for Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Plaza Park in Downtown Oxnard. This festive event includes food and arts and crafts vendors, live music and a kids’ zone. More info at www.oxnardrecevents.com/tamale-festival.html

13th Annual Taste of Conejo Event in Westlake Village on Thursday, October 24, 2024

The thirteenth annual Taste of Conejo, presented by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, returns on Thursday, October 24th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (VIP Hour: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (General Admission: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm), at the Hyatt Regency Westlake.

Food and wine enthusiasts will enjoy an all-inclusive evening of exceptional food, wine, beer and spirit tastings from a wide range of local restaurants, breweries and wineries. New local establishments “tasting” at the event this year include: Crawford’s Social, Baxter Ridge Vineyards, Selvin’s Restaurant & Lounge, Fogo de Chao and Café Ficelle.

After guests have their wine glass in hand, they will be greeted with a step-n-repeat selfie photo booth, custom wine glass engraving and interactive entertainment in Hyatt’s Grand Plaza Ballroom. 

Tasting participants scheduled to date include: Aramark Refreshments Specialty Barista Coffees, atost Aperitif, Baxter Ridge Vineyards, Boisset Collection Wines, Café Ficelle, California Fish Grill, Crawford’s Social, Dusty Nabor Wines, El Sancho Loco Cantina, Ficelle Artisan Bakers, Fogo de Chao, Fork and Thyme Catering, Giessinger Winery and Cidery, grabbagreen, Harvest Kitchen & Bar, Heaven’s Hill Estate Vineyard, Hyatt Regency Westlake, Kaufman Wine, Lion’s Peak Winery and Tasting Room, M on High Restaurant, Made In Italy, Magnavino Cellars, Mizel Estate Wines, Mouthful Eatery, Nectar of the Dogs Wins, Neighborly, Newberry Candy, Opolo Wines, Pinstripes, Selvin’s Restaurant & Lounge, Shake Shack, Smokin Steve's BBQ Catering, Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream, Sunland Vintage Winery Tasting Room,  Tarantula Hill Brewing Company, Ubatuba Acai and more.

Tickets are available online at TasteofConejo.com through October 24th.  Tickets for Chamber Members:  General Admission - $50 per person and VIP tickets - $75 per person (VIP ticket includes complimentary valet parking and 1-hour early entry into the event from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 pm). Tickets for Non-Members: General Admission - $75 per person and VIP tickets - $100 per person (VIP ticket includes complimentary valet parking and 1-hour early entry into the event from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 pm). Only guests over the age of 21 will be allowed admittance.

Westlake High School Instrumental Music Food Truck Festival on Sunday, October 13, 2024

Westlake High School Instrumental Music Boosters presents its annual Food Truck Festival on Sunday, October 13, 2024 from 11am to 4pm at Conejo Creek Park North, adjacent to the Thousand Oaks Library at 1379 E. Janss Road.

Enjoy a beautiful day, with great music, delicious food from gourmet food trucks, kids activities, silent auction and raffle.

Ticket prices $8 presale and $10 at the event. Food sold separately. Buy tickets and learn more at whsband.org/foodtruckfestival.

Proceeds support WHS Instrumental Music programs.