Events in and around Ventura County and surrounding areas, including Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Somis, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Ojai, Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Barbara and Port Hueneme.
Find events in Ventura County and surrounding areas in this section, by category at this link and in the Events Calendar. Community events of broad public interest can be submitted at this link for possible inclusion in this section (at our discretion).
We encourage posting of other events, activities, fundraisers, classes, workshops, sales, shout-outs, etc. directly to the COMMUNITY FORUM section!
The Rotary Club of Westlake Village hosts the 9th Annual OakHeart Country Music Festival at Conejo Creek Park South, Thousand Oaks on a date TBA.
Two stages, 11 artists, full bar area, two beer gardens, food trucks, vendors, kids' area, game/activities and line dancing all day. Buy tickets and learn more at www.OakHeartCMF.com. Kids 12 and under free.
EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS SITUATION
It’s time once again to have fun enjoying and reliving the days of yesteryear. There will be hands-on activities for children of all ages, such as grinding grain, making butter and tortillas, braiding rugs, quilting, spinning and weaving demonstrations, making string toys and yarn dolls, and panning for gold. People will be dressed in period costumes, including a Civil War soldier. A fun time for the whole family! The event is open to the public without charge.
Living History Day is planned for Sunday, May 17, 2020 from 1 – 4 PM at the PVHS Museum and Botanical Garden, 720 Las Posas Road, Camarillo and is open to the public without charge.
Visit www.pvhsonline.org or call 805-482-3660 for more information.
The 14th Annual Gator Run 5K, 10K and Kids 1 Mile Fun Run events have been cancelled. Event organizers noted they may continue to pursue options for 2021.
The Gator Run is presented by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunset. A fun, family-oriented and community event, the Gator Run is perfect for runners, walkers, beginners, recreational and elite athletes. Proceeds from this event will benefit the YMCA of Simi Valley.
For more information, visit www.gatorrun.org.
CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
On April 25th-26th prepare to be entertained and amazed by what can only be imagined as the "Renaissance of Railroading." This festival is a celebration of steam power, railroading, antique tractors, vehicles & engines, vintage wares & oddities, unique performances, early transportation and culture mixed with a bit of Steampunk fun. There will be live steam locomotive train rides, Orchard Bluegrass Band, Caboose rides, petting zoo, Dr. Solar's Gypsy Wagon Medicine Man Show, antique carousel rides, creative vendors & artisans, unique exhibits, model train displays, vintage cars, movie props, live entertainment, food, wine tasting & more! There is no other family festival quite like this one. So mark your calendars for one of the biggest events in Ventura County's little historic town of Fillmore.
Event is 9am to 5pm each day at Fillmore & Western Railway, 364 Main Street, Fillmore. Festival admission is FREE! Steam train ride tickets are selling fast! Visit steamrailfestival.com
CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19 SITUATION
The Rotary Club of Camarillo presents its 36th Annual Magic Show at the Theater on High Street in Moorpark on March 14, 2020. There will be two performances - 3 pm and 7:30 pm.
Six great performers from the Magic Castle will be there, including Ed Alonzo, Brandon Scott, Lindsay Benner, Dana Daniels and his Parrot and Paul Dwork.
Tickets are available for $45 at Merlin's Magic, 699 Mobil Ave, Camarillo, or call 805-388-7669, or email paul@magicmagicmagic.com. Seating is limited. Proceeds will benefit local charities through the Camarillo Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Rotary is a worldwide volunteer organization with more than 1.2 million members in 200 countries. Rotarians provide humanitarian services and build goodwill and peace in communities around the world. For more information, see www.rotary.org.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) will celebrate inspirational youth for their outstanding achievements during the 17th Annual Superstars of the Year Celebration on Sunday, March 22, 2020. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the show runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event, free and open to the public, will take place at the Performing Arts Education Center at Agoura High School, 28545 West Driver Avenue.
The special celebration will include the announcement of the 2019 Youth of the Year Awards in two categories: 13 years old and under, and 14 years old and over. Volunteers who have a made a positive impact on the Boys & Girls Clubs will also be recognized for their contributions. In addition, the winner of the annual BGCGCV Barstaad Award will be presented, an award that honors an individual who has served as an advocate for the clubs and who understands the importance of having a safe place for members to go after school.
Other event highlights include a variety show featuring club members who will perform dance and musical numbers they have learned through the BGCGCV Music Performing Arts Program. Some 300 people are expected to attend the celebration and light refreshments will be available.
For nearly 70 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year program has honored and celebrated the nation’s most inspiring youth and their incredible journeys. Stories of outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle have made Youth of the Year the premier leadership and recognition program for youth. These amazing young people represent the voice and spirit of hope for the community. Inspiring all kids to lead. To succeed. To inspire.
For more information or to inquire about individual and corporate sponsorship opportunities, contact the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley at 818-706-0905. To RSVP, contact Natalie Gonzalez at ngonzalez@bgcconejo.org.
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley are open before and after school, during lunch, on weekends for sports leagues, throughout the summer for the camp program and all-day during school vacations with tours of the Clubs available upon request. For more information about supervised youth programs, to donate, volunteer, or register online, visit www.bgcconejo.org or call 818-706-0905.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Walk for Kids Ventura is planned for April 5, 2020 at San Buenaventura State Beach, 901 San Pedro Street, Ventura.
Walk for Kids is a fun, family-friendly 5K walk along the promenade at San Buenaventura State Beach. All proceeds from the event will benefit the future Ronald McDonald Family Room at Ventura County Medical Center.
Form a team or walk as an individual - $25 registration fee, Kids under 18 free - all registered walkers receive a free t-shirt. Schedule: 7am registration, 8:30am program, 9am walk begins, 11am walk ends.
Learn more and sign up at walkforkids.org/ventura.
There will be plenty of “spooky science” at the 11th Annual CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Science Carnival set for Saturday, March 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Rio Vista Middle School at 3050 Thames River Drive in Oxnard.
The Science Carnival was originally scheduled for Nov. 2, 2019, but the fires of late October required that it get rescheduled for March of 2020.
Science Carnival organizer and founder Phil Hampton, Ph.D. wanted to recreate everything the kids would have experienced — including Halloween.
“Science Carnival is usually a spooky science kind of event normally held around Halloween,” Hampton said. “There were so many people who came on the night of the Science Carnival in November of 2019 and kids who were disappointed to learn it had been cancelled, so we’re reinventing this well-loved event as Halloween in March.”
Kids can come in costume and there will be plenty of creepy, gooey, deliciously gross exhibits to pique kids’ interest in science such as screaming Gummi bears; do-it-yourself glow-in-the-dark slime; and Moorpark College Chemistry will be running an activity where kids learn how a substance derived from algae can be used to make slimy worms.
Also on display will be the always-popular air-powered marshmallow shooters, Flubber and Oobleck (the goop in the Dr. Seuss book “Bartholomew and the Oobleck.”).
The 120 exhibits are designed to delight and intrigue pre-K through 8th grade guests and their families, but at the heart of the carnival is the hope that kids develop an interest in some form of science, technology, engineering and math that makes them want to continue exploring the field.
“My goal is to let kids experience the wonder and love of science in a fun environment where both the kids and parents can see the mystery, awe and wonder in science and be inspired,” Hampton said. “Hopefully they consider science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) as a potential future for their kids.”
The exhibits are staffed by CSUCI volunteers as well as volunteers from other partner groups such as all three community colleges; the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Paula and Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme; all three commands from Naval Base Ventura County; Sunny Smiles Dentistry (with a toothbrush robot!); Pacifica High School Physics and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers who will show kids how to create their own simple motor.
Families from Santa Barbara are also encouraged to attend. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and MOXI, the Wolf Museum of Exploration & Innovation in Santa Barbara, will also set up displays.
The event is free and open to the public and usually draws almost 3,000 kids and parents. Limited snacks will be provided for purchase and families are encouraged to bring a picnic or arrange to eat off-site.
About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is reimagining higher education for a new generation and era. We are an innovative higher education institution that enables students to succeed and thrive – serving as an engine for social and economic vitality that provides the intellectual resources necessary for a thriving democracy. With more than 7,000 students, 1,200 employees and 14,000 alumni, CSUCI is poised to grow in size and distinction, while maintaining one of the most student-focused learning environments in public higher education. Connect with and learn more by visiting www.csuci.edu or CSUCI’s Social Media.
Free nature hikes and classes at Camarillo Grove Park, 6968 E Camarillo Springs Rd, Camarillo. All hikes are FREE! Fun for all ages! No registration necessary. Come prepared with sturdy hiking shoes, a hat, water, sunscreen. Parking fee is waived for these events.
Spring Equinox: Guided Nature Hike
Thursday, March 19, 5-7pm at Camarillo Grove Park
Had enough of winter? Let’s welcome in spring, banish the winter blues, and celebrate the spring equinox by enjoying a hike. We will start to see seasonal flora appear and will start to see a change of birds and the start of baby animals.
Storrie’s Stories: Guided Nature Hike
8-9:30am W 4/1 at Camarillo Grove Park
Join our Recreation Services Manager as he relays the history and mystery of Camarillo Grove Park during this early morning guided hike. Will the information be correct? Your guess is as good as ours. Bring water and questions to ask on the trail.
Birds of Spring II: Guided Nature Hike
9-11am Sa 4/18 at Camarillo Grove Park
Meet some special birds, including those arriving to nest, those about to leave after a warm winter stay, as well as year-round residents. Come to Camarillo Grove and explore the birds in this area; we’ll compare to those we saw at Mission Oaks.
Flower Power: Guided Nature Hike
9-11am Sa 4/25 at Camarillo Grove Park
With this year’s rain, we look forward to seeing more wildflowers. Join us on a hike as you learn about the different flora and fauna of the area.
Rock Painting Class
2-3:30pm Th 2/20 at Camarillo Grove Park
Sit outdoors and get your creativity on as we transform ordinary rocks into colorful works of art. Great for decorating your garden at home. Paints, rocks & brushes will be provided.
Nature Journaling Class
9-10:30am Tu 4/14 at Camarillo Grove Park
Learn how to create your own unique Nature Journal while listening to the birds and enjoying the smell of the trees surrounding you. Learn how to sketch and journal about your experience with nature. Bring your own journal & drawing supplies of choice. Some pens, pencils, watercolors & color pencils will be available for use.
Nature Photography Classes
2/18 Tu 4-5:30pm or 4/16 Th 45:30pm at Camarillo Grove Park
It’s time to get your National Geographic on! Step outside and observe nature like never. Learn technics on how to photograph the wildlife right here in Camarillo! Find out where to look for creatures and how to practice patience with this craft. Take home photos, skills, and a whole new desire to snap photos of the natural world around you.
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The Channel Islands Maritime Museum will present their second annual “Holiday Lighting of the Tallship Mast” on Saturday December 14th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The “CocoKnots” will perform live music with a tropical flair along with public sing-alongs to holiday favorites. At 6:30 PM Santa Claus will arrive onboard an antique fire engine and flip the switch to light up the iconic Tallship Mast in front of the Maritime Museum. Following the Lighting Ceremony, Santa will be on hand to meet and greet children in his special nautical sleigh. The non-profit Maritime Museum is located at 3900 Bluefin Circle in Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor. cimmvc.org. This is a FREE Community Family Event.
The 54th Annual Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Lights follows at 7 PM and can be viewed free on the water side of the Maritime Museum or enjoy inside seating (including dinner, sweets, and holiday cheer!) for $25 per person. For more information contact 805-207-9579.
The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is a 501(3)c non-profit organization. The Museum needs your financial support so that it can continue to provide wonderful exhibits and education to the public of Ventura County along with a growing calendar of Special Events for our community like this one, Art Comes Alive, Celebration of the Whales, Maritime Tea Time, Museum Week, Monthly Speaker Series and many more. Contributions to the Tallship Mast Lighting event will help us grow this event and keep the lights shining in the future.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
Conejo Valley Guide® covers thousands of events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County, California and surrounding areas.
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