Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase in Pasadena January 1-2, 2024

Looking for something fun to do after the Rose Parade in Pasadena? Check out the Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase on Monday, January 1, 2024 from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (4 p.m. last entry) and Tuesday, January 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (4 p.m. last entry) to get an up close view of the beautiful floats appearing in the Rose Parade.

Senior citizens and disabled visitors welcome for an early viewing on January 2nd from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Rose Parade floats are required to be completely covered by flowers or other natural materials, such as leaves, seeds or bark. You will enjoy seeing this incredible work up close and with your camera handy!

The Post Parade Showcase is extremely popular, so be sure to get there early!

Wear comfortable walking shoes! Viewing all the floats will require walking a distance of approximately 2.5 miles and will take at least two hours.

For more information and parking/shuttle options, visit tournamentofroses.com/events-calendar/floatfest.

Location: End of Parade route on Sierra Madre Blvd

Admission: $20 (free for ages 5 and under). Ticket sales end between 2:30-3PM daily. Buy tickets in advance at tickets.sharpseating.com/p/tickets/events/floatfest-a-rose-parade-showcase.

Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration at The Commons at Calabasas on Tuesday, December 12, 2023

The Commons at Calabasas will host its annual Menorah Lighting Celebration on December 12 at 6:30pm, providing a magical and safe joining place for community members to gather and celebrate the significant holiday. The evening will consist of live musical entertainment, family-friendly activities, Chanukah treats and the lighting of the menorah, concluding with a dazzling firework show.

The Commons at Calabasas is located at 4799 Commons Way. For more information, visit www.shopcommons.com.

Fall Festival at the Ojai Raptor Center on Sunday, November 12, 2023

The Ojai Raptor Center (ORC) is hosting its 2023 Fall Festival on Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 11am to 3pm, after a four year hiatus. The public is invited for a fun afternoon of performances, presentations, interactive games, activities, live music and an auction.

There will also be bird walks, a tour of ORC’s Freedom Flight, California’s largest flight cage for raptors in rehabilitation and bird-friendly native plant seed packets, as well as lunch available from on-site food trucks.

Normally, ORC is closed to the public year-round because of the sensitive nature of wildlife in rehabilitation. This is a great opportunity to check it out. Note that no live birds will be present at the event. Dogs are not allowed. 
 
The Ojai Raptor Center is located at 370 Baldwin Road, Ojai. Admission is $8 for children ages 4 to 15, $15 for adults, $10 for age 65+ and free for 3 and under.

Buy tickets at www.ojairaptorcenter.org.
 
About Ojai Raptor Center
Ojai Raptor Center is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of birds of prey and other wildlife and to providing educational programs to teach communities about wildlife and our shared environment. This facility takes in an average of 1,000 animals a year, specializing in raptors, with a release rate of 65%. ORC provides permanent sanctuary to some of the non-releasable raptors who go on to become education ambassadors in the Wildlife Education Program.

Conejo Arts Jubilee Event at Hillcrest Center Thousand Oaks on Saturday, October 14, 2023

The Arts Council of the Conejo Valley presents Conejo Arts Jubilee on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from noon to 4pm at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. This free, family events will include performances, booths with food, games and more. Learn more at www.conejoarts.org/jubilee.

2022 Santa Paula Rotary Pumpkin Patch at Limoneira Ranch (2023 Event Has Been Cancelled)

THE 2023 PUMPKIN PATCH AT LIMONEIRA RANCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Updates at www.sppumpkinpatch.com.

The Santa Paula Rotary Pumpkin Patch at the Limoneira Ranch, 12471 Foothill Road, Santa Paula will be back every Saturday and Sunday this October 2022.

Admission to the pumpkin patch is $12 (2 and under free) and includes hay ride, hay maze, hay pyramid, live music and plenty of great photo opps. Additional activities are $5 and up. The Corn MAiZE is $12. Other activities include corn maize, pony rides, face painting, the "Pumpkin Chucker" and more. No reservations needed - you can buy tickets online or at the door.

Families can easily spend a full day at the patch enjoying music, delicious fall food favorites, and old-fashioned hay wagon rides through acres of pumpkins, squash and gourds. 

Hours are 10am to 5 pm on October 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 and 39-30.

Visit sppumpkinpatch.com to learn more.

2023 Ventura Harbor Village Outdoor Movie Nights in June, July and August

Mark your calendars for free Outdoor Movie Nights at Ventura Harbor Village on June 24th (Jaws), July 29th (Goonies) and August 26th (Moana). Movies start at sunset on the main lawn at Ventura Harbor Village, 1591 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura.

Arrive early for dessert and pre-show entertainment and to secure a spot on the grass.

Jaws costume contest on June 24th - dress as a shark or in 1970s era attire. Special guest Susan Jane Backlinie (aka Chrissie Watkins), the first shark victim from the original Jaws will be on hand to introduce the movie and answer audience questions.

www.venturaharborvillage.com/blog/2023-movie-nights

150th Anniversary of Ventura County Kick-Off Celebration in Ventura on Friday, June 23rd

In 1873, Ventura County separated from Santa Barbara County creating a unique community in charge of its own destiny. In the 150 years since, Ventura County has become known for its agriculture, industry and innovation all the while cultivating a charming and laid-back cultural atmosphere.

As this year marks the significant distinction of celebrating 150 years, five groups have come together to honor our community, history and diversity. County of Ventura, Museum of Ventura County, Ventura County Community Foundation, Pacific Coast Business Times and Economic Development Collaborative present 150 days of celebration kicking off June 23 at Museum of Ventura County.

You are cordially invited to The 150th Anniversary of Ventura County Kick-Off Celebration on Friday, June 23 5:30 – 8:00 pm at 100 E. Main St. Ventura, CA 93001. Enjoy 3 exciting new exhibits, food trucks, live music, guest speakers, a specially crafted 150th cocktail and MORE!

This event is FREE of charge and open to ALL. Stay tuned for many more exciting events, programs, festivals and interactive experiences over the following 150 days.

venturamuseum.org/event/ventura-county-150th-kick-off-event

Star Gazing Event at Moorpark College Observatory on Saturday, June 10th

Summer Triangle and Milky Way Sky Tour

Moorpark College and the Ventura County Astronomical Society will host a guided tour of the summer sky at the Moorpark College Observatory, 7075 Campus Road, on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 8:00 pm. Join them for an exploration of our own galaxy, the Milky Way!

At 9 pm, the sky darkens, and the telescope viewing begins!

You are encouraged to bring your own binoculars or telescope. If the sky is cloudy, a PowerPoint presentation will still be shown.

This is a free event for students, staff and the community. Not recommended for children under 6 years old. RSVP at bit.ly/SUMMERTRIANGLE.

Seating is limited. You are welcome to bring your own lawn or folding chairs. 

A Star Gazers Event Under the Stars at Moorpark College Observator on Saturday, May 20th

MOORPARK COLLEGE and the Ventura County Astronomical Society present A STAR GAZERS EVENT UNDER THE STARS on Saturday, May 20th, 8PM-10:30PM at the Moorpark College Observatory

STAR, PLANET & CONSTELLATIONS SKY TOUR

This is a free event to students, staff and the community, recommended for 6 years old or older. We will have a guided tour of the summer sky at the observatory amphitheater at 8:30 PM! Become familiar with the galaxies, star clusters and nebulae in the May sky. At 9 PM, the sky darkens and the telescope viewing begins! If you have binoculars, that will enhance your views too. Weather conditions (thick clouds, rain, high wind) can cancel the program.

RSVP: mcfoundation@vcccd.edu

MOORPARK COLLEGE FOUNDATION

7075 Campus Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021

805-553-4760

MoorparkCollege.edu/Give

www.moorparkcollege.edu/events/star-gazing-event

Public Tours at the Camarillo Bird Museum

The Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology (WFVZ) (aka Camarillo Bird Museum), a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable corporation, is both a natural history collection specializing in eggs and nests of birds from around the world, and a research and education institution dedicated to bird conservation. The Foundation's collections are the largest in the world, and its mission is to contribute to the conservation of the world’s wild bird species through the accessibility of the collections and their data to researchers, educators, students, and the public. 

The Museum both guided and unguided tours on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon and 2pm. A two hour guided tour for two is a $20 donation. A self-guided one hour tour is $7.

Visit www.wfvz.org for more information.