2020 Ventura County Heart & Stroke Walk Digital Experience September 28 to October 10

The Ventura County Heart & Stroke Walk Digital Experience is planned for Saturday, October 10, 2020. This year's reimagined Heart Walk will be the biggest ever, as we bring the experience right to you! You'll join 1 million walkers, from across the nation, moving as one. Get ready to get moving, honor survivors, and raise lifesaving funds. Remember, you keep hearts beating – the hearts of moms, dads, brothers, aunts and babies.

Visit www.venturaheartwalk.org today to register.

18th Annual "Stand Up for Kids" Gala - A Virtual Celebration on September 12, 2020

18th Annual ‘Stand Up for Kids’ Gala – A Virtual Celebration

Hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCGCV) Saturday, September 12, 2020 -- 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (BGCCGV) is going virtual this year for its 18th Annual ‘Stand Up for Kids’ Gala scheduled for Saturday, September 12 from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Presented via livestream, the Gala will include shared stories, Club member performances, and the recognition of individuals who have made a significant impact on the BGCGCV. The annual Gala helps to support over 4,300 youth in LA and Ventura county, providing programs during school, summer and more.

The Gala will be streamed via YouTube. To register, or for more information, contact Natalie Gonzalez at ngonzalez@bgcconejo.org or visit the website at www.bgcconejo.org/gala or Facebook, www.facebook.com/BoysandGirlsClubsofGreaterConejoValley.

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, 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, please log onto www.bgcconejo.org or call 818-706-0905.

CANCELLED 6th Annual Chowderfest Event at Channel Islands Maritime Museum on Sunday, August 2, 2020

CANCELLED DUE TO PANDEMIC

Select local restaurants will again compete for the title of “Ventura County’s Best Chowder” at the 6th Annual CHOWDERFEST on Sunday, August 2, 2020, 2-6pm at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum.

A competition judged by both professional judges and guests, chowder tastings are complemented by wine tastings from local wineries and fine craft beer provided by Firestone Walker Brewery. Live music will create a festive mood with Kelly’s Lot and Friends. Local friends and visiting guests will gather at the summer’s most relaxing harbor-front garden party!

Chowderfest is an annual collaborative fundraiser hosted by the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, IOGB (International Order of the Blue Gavel), and local Yacht Clubs. Local restaurants will donate exceptional flavors to the Chowder Cook-off (clam, corn, Manhattan, potato, conch, veggie…) and support the Channel Islands Maritime Museum: a non-profit which celebrates Five Centuries of Art that Sails and gives back to the community nearly every day of the year.

Tickets will be sold on the museum website and at the museum for $25 pre-sale and $30 the day of the event. The price includes chowder, beer & wine tastings; a variety of side dishes; and free Museum admission. The museum welcomes the public and community to attend.

Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the Channel Islands Maritime Museum.

Tickets: cimmvc.org or at the Museum

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is open M/Th-Sat 10-4pm, Sun 12-4PM and closed Tues and Wed for group tours and private member events, also, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Located in Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor at 3900 Bluefin Circle. Explore galleries full of rare and beautiful maritime paintings dating back to the 1600’s, more than sixty world-class models of historic ships, rotating thematic fine arts exhibitions, and interactive exhibits that encourage visitors to expand their horizons about everything maritime. Museum entry is free for members and children under 6, $7 adults, $5 seniors/military, $3 children (ages 6-17), and free on the third Thursday of the month. Info: cimmvc.org or (805) 984-6260.

47th Annual Santa Barbara Greek Festival the Weekend of July 25-26, 2020

MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO PANDEMIC

Santa Barbara's 47th Annual Greek Festival is planned for July 25-26, 2020 from 11 am to 7 pm in beautiful Oak Park, 600 West Junipero Street. The festival evokes the sights, sounds and tastes that define the traditional Greek way of life. Stroll through Santa Barbara's beautiful Oak Park and experience the simple pleasures of life in a Greek village. Admission and parking is free.

Dozens of volunteers enthusiastically staff their booths, creating a convivial, welcoming atmosphere. Festival-goers return year after year for the food. — Delectable festival favorites like gyros and moussaka. And no Greek village would be complete without homemade pastries like baklava, melomakarona, and kataifi.

Listen to the distinctive sounds of the bouzouki and other exotic instruments played by authentic Greek musicians who perform traditional and popular songs. Delight in the beauty of the elaborate costumes worn by performers as they share their carefully practiced steps and intricate dances with the enthusiastic audience.

Take advantage of a free Greek dance lesson, and enjoy participating in the same dances you would perform in the traditional villages of Greece. Dance the afternoon away, eat a little (or a lot), shop in the Greek marketplace, relax and enjoy yourself under the oaks in the warm embrace of the best Greek culture has to offer.

More information at www.santabarbaragreekfestival.org.

Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area Programs in Ventura County

Free events and programs at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area locations in Ventura County and adjacent areas are highlighted below! (updated periodically to remove past activities). For additional details and other event locations, visit samofund.org/calendar.

Most activities subject to cancellation if there's significant rain.

7/24 8:30-10:30pm: The Moon in Action program at Paramount Ranch - Much like the sun during the day, the Moon is the dominant bright gem of the night sky. Join us at Paramount Ranch to learn about the surface features of the Moon and the influence it has on the Earth.

The program will start with a demonstration on how the Moon reflects sunlight and why we see the different phases. The demonstration will be followed by telescope and binocular viewings of the surface of the Moon, including interactive activities for children and families to learn about the surface features.

Sat TBA 8:30-10am - Birds of the Santa Monica Mountains Walk at King Gillette Ranch - Bring your binoculars, bird guide, and/or camera and join us for an easy bird walk around the grounds of King Gillette Ranch. This area attracts many songbirds, water birds, woodpeckers, and raptors and we are always treated to something interesting. Kids are welcome and the walk is less than a mile at a very easy pace as we stop often to observe the birds. We leave promptly at 8:30 from the flagpole. Heavy rain cancels (but I will be there for anyone who wants to walk in it!). See you there!

Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center in Calabasas

King Gillette Ranch - View from near Inspiration Point

Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center in Newbury Park

Directions to various locations

Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyons: Ventura Fwy (101) to Chesebro Rd exit. Turn north on Palo Comado Canyon Rd then right on Chesebro Rd. Go north 1 mile to park entrance. Turn right and follow road to parking lot.

Circle X Ranch: Pacific Coast Hwy to Yerba Buena Rd. Turn inland; go 5.4 miles to Circle X Ranch contact station.

Sandstone Peak Trailhead: 1 mile north of Circle X Ranch contact station on Yerba Buena Rd. Parking lot is on left.

Mishe Mokwa Trailhead: 1.75 miles north of the Circle X contact station along Yerba Buena Road. Parking lot is on right.

King Gillette Ranch: Ventura Fwy (101) Exit Las Virgenes Rd. Go 3 miles south on Las Virgenes Rd to Mulholland Hwy intersection (traffic light). Turn left on Mulholland Hwy. Park entrance is 0.1 mile on right.

Malibu Creek State Park: Ventura Fwy (101) Exit Las Virgenes Rd. Go 3 miles south on Las Virgenes Rd to Mulholland Hwy intersection (traffic light). Park entrance is 0.25 mile south of the intersection on Las Virgenes Rd. From Pacific Coast Hwy: north on Malibu Canyon Rd to park entrance on left.

Paramount Ranch: Ventura Fwy (101) to Kanan Rd exit. South on Kanan 0.5 mile. Left on Cornell Way and veer to right. South 2.5 miles, entrance is on right side of the road.

Peter Strauss Ranch is located at 30000 Mulholland Highway, Agoura Hills.

Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa: Ventura Fwy (101) to Lynn Rd exit. South on Lynn Rd 5.25 miles to Via Goleta. Park entrance is on the left at Via Goleta. Continue all the way to a parking lot where the road ends. To get to the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center, walk 0.3 mile up gravel road from the parking area to brown wooden building. 

Wendy Trailhead: Ventura Fwy (101) to Wendy Dr. exit. South on Wendy Dr to dirt pullout at intersection with Potrero Rd.

Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch: From Ventura Fwy (101): Exit Las Virgenes Rd. Go 3 miles south on Las Virgenes Rd to Mulholland Hwy intersection (traffic light). Turn left on Mulholland Hwy. Go 0.1 mile and turn right into entrance of King Gillette Ranch. The visitor center is the first building on your right. 26867 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas.

Americafest at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena Will Be Hosted Virtually on July 4, 2020

Americafest at the Rose Bowl Stadium is a large patriotic celebration of all things red, white and blue. AmericaFest welcomes tens of thousands for a day full of tailgating, celebration, and entertainment including a motorcycle stunt show and a world-renowned fireworks display.

This year, Americafest will be hosted virtually.

Focused around legacy and community-building, the one-hour virtual event at 2PM will feature celebrations of our United States Veterans and military personnel, messages from our community thanking first responders, frontline workers and their personal heroes for their work during COVID-19, as well as a salute to America with a message for why we celebrate the 4th of July. At the culmination of the online-based event, there will be a flyover of Pasadena and its most historic landmarks.

The virtual event will include music from Cello artist, Cecilia Tsan who will be performing live two solos from the 100-inch telescope dome on top of Mt. Wilson in honor of our United States Fallen Heroes and the first responders and frontline workers for their admirable work and courage during COVID-19.

To register for this free event and/or to submit your video thanking local heroes, visit www.rosebowllive.tv/4th-of-july. Videos must be no longer than 15 seconds and filmed in landscape mode (horizontal).

CANCELLED 37th Annual Ventura County Bar Association Law Day 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, June 20, 2020

EVENT CANCELLED FOR 2020

Mark your fitness calendars for the 37th Annual Ventura County Bar Association Law Day 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, June 20, 2020.

The 5K run starts at 8:30 a.m. and 1 mile family fun run starts at 9:30 a.m. at Ventura Community Park, 901 S. Kimball Road. Flat and fast course. All proceeds benefit VCBA and Ventura Co. Legal Aid, Inc., who provide legal services to the needy. The flat and fast race includes 12 age categories, with a first-place winner in each category.

Visit runsignup.com/Race/CA/Ventura/LawDay5KVentura to register.

Physically Challenged & Special Needs "Day at the Park" in Oxnard May-October

The 2020 City of Oxnard “Physically Challenged and Special Needs” Day at the Park at Oxnard Beach Park, 1601 Harbor Blvd. is planned from 11am to 2pm on May 23, June 20, July 12, Aug 15, Sept 19 and Oct 17.

An afternoon of group & individual activities, arts & crafts and board games. Bounce house and City Corps Train are also present at events. For more information, call (805) 385-8019. Event is free, however, participants must pay for parking.

www.oxnard.org/recreation/special-populations/day-at-the-park

VIRTUAL EVENT California Honey Harvest Festival in Fillmore June 20-21, 2020

EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY THIS YEAR DUE TO PANDEMIC

The 2020 California Honey Harvest Festival is planned for the weekend of June 20-21 at Central Park in Fillmore from 9 am to 5 pm. Activities to include kid zone, live music, petting zoo, exhibits, BBQ tri tip sandwiches, train rides to honey farm tour, antique carousel rides, vendors, honey products and more! Free admission. Train rides “The Honey Bee Express” $28 for adults, $25 seniors, $16 youth, $12 child.for two hour event.

Event to be held at Central Park in downtown Fillmore, where you'll have free time to enjoy lunch on your own and browse the many vendors that are all about bees and honey. Then, step aboard the historic Fillmore & Western Railway for a short train ride to Bennett's Honey farm, located halfway between Fillmore and Piru.

You'll see demonstrations by California bee keepers along the way and take a one-of-a-kind tour at the honey farm, where you'll learn all about honey bees and how the honey is collected and processed.

californiahoneyharvestfestival.com

CANCELLED Sipurbia Wine & Beer Festival at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas on Saturday, September 12, 2020

On September 12th (new date), wine, beer, music, food, fun, and games join together to benefit the BumbleBee Foundation from 3 to 7 p.m. at the SIPurbia Wine & Beer Festival at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas.

SIPurbia is a local festival in the burbs where you can find craft breweries and wineries together, with food trucks and live music from every decade that will get you dancing....all for a great cause!

SIPurbia will feature samples of craft beer and wine. Delicious food, awesome live bands/DJs, lawn games, and a variety of vendors will round out the day. There's something for everyone, so gather your friends and come have fun! All tickets include a souvenir tasting cup, samples of craft beer and wine, and live entertainment all day.

Proceeds will go to help support the BumbleBee Foundation, which assists families of pediatric cancer patients with financial, food, transportation, and other services, as needed. Spiritual guidance and counseling are also provided to comfort families through very trying times often experienced during their children’s therapy.

King Gillette Ranch is located 26800 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sipurbia.com.