2024 Festival of the Trees, Ventura County in Simi Valley on November 21-23

Festival of the Trees, Ventura County is a community event that benefits cancer patients and their families with living expenses in Ventura County. View and bid on beautifully decorated trees and wreaths, shop handmade gifts in the Elf Emporium, and indulge on sweet treats in Frosty’s Sweet Shoppe.

The event takes place at the Simi Valley Town Center on Thursday, November 21 from 4-8pm and Saturday, November 23 from 10am-3pm. Tickets at the door are $5 for adults, $3 for ages 3 to 12, $4 for seniors, and free to ages 3 and under.

On Friday, November 22 from 5-8:30pm is Festival of the Trees Event Night, featuring visits with Santa and his wife, viewing and bidding on trees and wreaths, and more. $20 admission.

Event is at the west end of the Simi Valley Town Center, 1475 Simi Town Center Way.

More details and tickets at gavinsvillagefoundation.com/event-details

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.

11th Annual Moorpark Mammoth Run 5K/10K on Sunday, October 6, 2024

The Rotary Club of Moorpark presents the Moorpark Mammoth Run 5K/10K and Family 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, October 6, 2024.

Runners can enjoy the beauty of Moorpark's unique landscape and compete in a fast, mostly flat 5k/10k race. There's also a 1 mile fun run/walk planned. Everyone gets a T-shirt (1 per family in the fun/run walk), goody bag, free raffle ticket and participation ribbon. Winners get medals. Registration and check-in begin at 7:00am.

All proceeds will benefit local charities through the Moorpark Rotary Foundation and this year a portion of the proceeds will go toward the eradication of polio. All donations to polio will be matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The event will take place at Arroyo Vista Community Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road. Races start at 8:30am. Learn more at www.moorparkmammothrun.com.

Bags, Bling & Bubbly Champagne Luncheon Fundraiser in Camarillo on November 4, 2024

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County’s (BBSVC) Annual Bags, Bling & Bubbly champagne luncheon will take place at the Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo on Monday, November 4, 2024 from 11am to 2pm. 

RSVP now at bbsvc.org/bubbly. $100 early bird registration (as of September 1, 2024).

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBSVC) has been helping youth in Ventura County and neighboring communities realize their potential for over 45 years. Facilitating more than 1,500 one-to-one mentoring relationships annually, BBSVC is committed to bringing this life-changing program to every child who needs it. BBSVC is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that depends on private donors for 75% of its funding. To donate, become a mentor, or learn more about BBSVC, please call 805-484-2282 or visit www.bbsvc.org

28th Annual Patagonia Salmon Run 5K in Ventura on Sunday, November 10, 2024

The 28th Annual Patagonia Salmon Run is planned for Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 8 a.m. at 5721 N. Ventura Avenue in Ventura This is a certified 5K course on a flat dirt road along the Ventura River. Event usually sells out! No race day signups!

Register at runsignup.com/Race/Events/CA/Ventura/PatagoniaSalmonRun5K.

7th Annual Haunted Housing Run 5K in Ventura on Saturday, November 2, 2024

The 2024 Haunted Housing Run is planned for Saturday, November 2nd at San Buenaventura State Beach.

Haunted Housing Run is a Halloween-themed 5K run/walk in support of the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) Scholarship Program. Each year HACSB awards scholarships to current residents of affordable housing communities owned and/or managed by HACSB who are currently enrolled at a four-year college/university, community college, or vocational school.

Event begins at 8:30am at 901 San Pedro Street, Ventura. Costumes are encouraged!

Visit www.hauntedhousingrun.com to learn more and register.

2024 Pier Under the Stars Food & Wine Tasting Benefit in Ventura on October 5th

Since its original construction in 1872, the Ventura Pier has stood as a symbol of the region's rich history and natural resources. Once the cornerstone of Ventura County's agricultural, construction and oil trade, today the Ventura Pier is a favorite attraction for fishing, picnics, sunset strolls and beautiful views of Ventura County's coastline and the Channel Islands.

In 1993 a dedicated group of community leaders created Pier into the Future, a non-profit organization, to establish a $1 million endowment fund to preserve and maintain the Ventura Pier for future generations to enjoy. This committed group is continually seeking volunteers to help Pier into the Future reach its goal through community outreach efforts at events such as the Ventura County Fair, the City of Ventura's Street Fairs and the ever-popular food and wine tasting event Pier Under the Stars, a gathering of restaurants, wineries, and breweries all in support of Ventura's treasured Pier. Festivities will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 4:30-7pm at the Ventura Promenade overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean and Ventura Pier. 21+ only.

Visit www.pierintothefuture.org to learn more and purchase tickets.

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.

Relay for Life of Conejo Valley Planned for Saturday, October 5, 2024

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Conejo Valley event is a life-changing experience that gives everyone in their community a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, Remember loved ones lost, and Fight Back against the disease.  The 2024 event will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 7:30 am to 8 pm at California Lutheran University’s Memorial Field, 141 Memorial Pkwy, Thousand Oaks.

The goal of the event is to raise funds and awareness for cancer treatment and research

Visit www.relayforlife.org/conejovalleyca to learn more and sign up.

Ride to the Flags Memorial Charity Motorcycle Ride on Sunday, September 8, 2024

Ride to the Flags began in 2008, accompanying the Wave of Flags 9/11 Memorial at Pepperdine University. Although not officially associated with the collegiate memorial - the ride does end at the memorial for a short service. Ride to the Flags is an all volunteer, charity ride that in the past has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for wounded warriors in need. In 2023 and beyond, the ride supports veteran mental health through the White Heart Foundation’s Guardian Project.

This year's ride will take place on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Check-in from 7:30am to 9:30am at Naval Base Ventura County, followed by a ceremony at 10am. The ride starts at 11am down PCH, ending at Malibu Bluffs Park for a rally.

Registration and additional details at www.ridetotheflags.com.