Annual Huck Finn Fishin' Derby at Rancho Simi Community Park on April 27, 2024

The Annual Huck Finn Fishin’ Derby is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.. Little ones will be hooked on fishing fun while scanning the water for the biggest and best fish to catch. The derby will be held along the banks of the two-and-one-half acre lake at Rancho Simi Community Park. Parents are advised to bring their children to the lake as early as possible to ensure a great spot. For safety reasons, no spinners/lures allowed. The lagoon will be stocked with over 1,500 pounds of fish before the event.

The annual event is open to boys and girls 15 years of age and younger. Rain or shine, the fishing event goes on.  Open to the public.  Visit www.rsrpd.org/recreation/events/spring_(march_-_may)/fishing_derby.php for more information.

2024 Conejo Recreation & Park District Summer Concerts in the Park - May through September

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics, then sit back and relax to the sounds of summer! The Conejo Recreation & Park District Summer Concerts in the Park is back again in 2024.

Jackets or sweaters are recommended as the weather often cools during the latter part of the event. Concert-goers are asked to leave pets at home. Concerts are FREE and open to the public.

Location: Conejo Community Park, 1175 Hendrix Avenue, Thousand Oaks
(off Gainsborough Road, at the intersection of Dover and Hendrix Avenues)

Time: All concerts begin promptly at 5:00pm and conclude at 7:00pm. Parking is offsite only; onsite parking is limited and reserved for cars with handicap placards.

The Lineup:

• Memorial Day Monday, May 27: Britain’s Finest - The Complete Beatles Experience

• Thursday, July 4: Hot August Night - The Ultimate Neil Diamond Tribute

• Sunday, July 21: Savor - Santana Tribute Band

• Sunday, August 11: Blank Space - Taylor Swift Tribute

• Labor Day Monday, September 2: The Spazmatics

NOTE: Artists subject to change. Concert information: www.crpd.org/events/summer-concerts-in-the-park

2024 Camarillo Community Band Summer Concerts in the Park on Thursdays, July 11 to August 1

The Camarillo Community Band's 2024 Summer Concert Series is planned at Constitution Park, Carmen Drive at Paseo Camarillo on July 11, 18, 25 and August 1.

Performances will start at 7:00pm (and end at approximately 8:30 pm). Free admission. Bring chairs, blankets and picnic dinners while enjoying the show.

Additionally, the band will perform in the Memorial Day service at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park at 11am on May 27, 2023.

camarillocommunityband.com

2024 Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival on Saturday, October 19th

When it comes to fresh seafood, you can’t get it any fresher than right off the boat. On October 19, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival lures seafood lovers of all ages to Santa Barbara’s thriving harbor for one of the community’s most beloved and flavorful events. 

This signature event coincides with lobster season and features local commercial fishermen offering the Santa Barbara Channel’s freshest seafood. Fishermen and seafood vendors will provide thousands of festival-goers with an abundance of live lobster, crab, prawns, BBQ albacore, clam chowder, fish tacos, seafood gumbo and other prepared dishes. Arts and crafts vendors will offer jewelry, clothing, art, photography and other hand-crafted items.

Admission is FREE. Since 2002, the annual Harbor and Seafood Festival has become Santa Barbara’s signature autumn event. It brings people together for a day full of fun and good memories.

For more information, visit harborfestival.org. Location: Harbor Way.

24th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering in Malibu on April 6-7, 2024

24th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering in Malibu on Saturday/Sunday, April 6-7, 2024.

The Chumash Day Powwow celebrates Native Americans from all over the country, representing hundreds of tribes who will gather at Malibu Bluffs Park. This is a non-competitive powwow. Food trucks, craft vendors, tribal ceremonies and dances will be a part of the event on both days. Admission is free. Hours 10am to 6pm.

Offsite parking only at 23575 Civic Center Way and for ADA, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road. Free shuttle rides to Malibu Bluffs Park.

Event is located at Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway.

For more event information call (310) 317-1364 or visit www.malibucity.org/chumashday.

Calabasas Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 13, 2024

The City of Calabasas Earth Day Celebration/Green Expo will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Las Virgenes Creek site, south of Agoura Rd. in Calabasas. Over 50 exhibitors from all over Los Angeles County and Ventura County will be participating in the event to help participants take actions that will save them money through efficiency while protecting our planet. The festival is free of charge and the Calabasas Earth Day event will have something of interest for everyone. The festival will also feature numerous children’s activities to teach kids about the environment while they have fun.

Calabasas Earth Day/Green Expo was created to be a day of education, celebration, and action for the natural world in which we live. On April 22, 1970, Earth Day marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Calabasas Earth Day/Green Expo sets a clear example for people and businesses how simple lifestyle changes can make a difference.

The City of Calabasas invites public agencies, non-profit organization and private companies that provide green services or products to participate in this event. Each exhibitor will be provided with one 6-foot long table to set up educational and promotional materials.

Learn more at www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/public-works/environmental-igr-division/earth-day-celebration-green-expo..

Celebration of the Whales Festival at Channel Islands Harbor on Sunday, April 7, 2024

The 25th Annual Celebration of the Whales Festival is planned for Sunday, April 7, 2024 from 10am to 3pm at the Channel Islands Harbor, 3350 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard.

The event will feature family fun, chalk art, shopping, kids’ fun zone and more.

Activities will be held at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market and a “Gray Whale Migration Trail” that runs through Harbor View Park that connects the two activity centers.

Learn more at www.channelislandsharbor.org/event/2024-celebration-of-the-whales-festival

30th Annual Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival in Camarillo on Sunday, June 2, 2024

One of Ventura County’s premier celebrations of gastronomy, fine wines and community spirit will mark its 30th anniversary as Casa Pacifica presents the annual Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at California State University Channel Islands. General admission tickets are now available at www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com.

This year’s milestone event is hosted by Bank of America; Conico and MacValley Oil; Mission Produce; Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PC; and the Van Huisen family.

Voted the Best Food & Drink Festival and Best Charity Event for the past 12 years, the Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival brings together the pinnacle of talent of Ventura County’s food and wine scene, including renowned restauranteurs, chefs, vinters and breweries. Owners, chefs and artisans will be on hand to pour, serve and interact with attendees, making the Festival one of the most personal and convenient ways to discover the region’s delicious bounty. Admission includes access to a diverse selection of delicious food, premium wines and tasty craft brews from more than 100 exhibitors, along with live musical entertainment from the VIP Lounge and main stage.

Attendees can also take in the popular Yummie Culinary Competition, which pits top chefs against one another in a blind tasting competition judged by media personalities, food and wine editors and chefs. Judges crown winners for the best of two categories – Savory and Sweet – based on flavor, presentation, innovation and quality.

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 info 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.

Ventura Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 20, 2024

The Earth Day Festival will return to downtown Ventura on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at Park Plaza on East Thomson Street. This year, hosted by the MERITO Foundation in collaboration with the City of Ventura Sustainability Division and over 40 environmentally minded not-for-profit organizations, governmental agencies, transportation and utilities industries, outdoor recreation businesses, and sustainable food and goods vendors. The Ventura Earth Day Festival 2024 theme is "A celebration of our Blue Planet, Earth!"

Some event highlights include a blessing by Chumash Elder Alan Salazar, followed by opening remarks by our City of Ventura Mayor, Mr. Joe Schroeder. Then, a series of live performances by Inlakech Art Center’s Mariachi Band & Ballet Folkrórico; local singer and writer Olivia Willhite’s Ukulele Surf Pop; Jazz by Cabrillo Middle School Jazz Band "A" & Ventura High School Jazz Combo, with ending performance by ‘Strange,’ an outstanding local Youth Rock Band. In addition, the most current Electric Vehicles (EV) will be displayed; Patagonia's Child Development Center will lead the Kid’s Zone activities; Bike Valet Parking will be available, and all are encouraged to participate in interactive games, the Earthly costume contest, and trivia to win prizes.

In addition, governmental and non-governmental environmental organizations will share information and opportunities with the community, such as events, rebates, programs, and supplies that benefit the planet, regional economies, and human health. We highly encourage all attendees to carpool, use public transportation, or bike to Park Plaza on April 20th. A public parking lot is ½ block from Park Plaza on Santa Clara St.

The Ventura Earth Day Festival 2024 is made possible thanks to the sponsorship of The Port of Hueneme, Toyota Ventura, an Outdoor Equity Grant created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants and Local Services, and by in-kind contributions of notable people, businesses such as California Solar Electric, Patagonia, Open Water, and some of the best musicians in the region. Thanks to all, the Ventura Earth Day Festival 2024 will be the most diverse and vibrant ever!

Ventura Earth Day 2024 is the first of a series of events the MERITO Foundation will host in 2024 to commemorate our 10th anniversary. The MERITO Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Ventura dedicated to protecting the ocean by facilitating transformative experiences to 3,500-4,000 4th-12th grade students per year and their communities through science education, outdoor recreation, hands-on scientific research, advocacy, and green entrepreneurship at no cost to the students or their families. For more information for participants, environmental groups, and vendors about the Ventura Earth Festival, visit https://meritostaff.wixsite.com/meritoearthday. More details about the MERITO Foundation at www.meritofoudation.org or email info@meritofoundation.org

Steampunk at Strathearn Festival in Simi Valley on Saturday, June 22, 2024

Steampunk at Strathearn is a whimsical festival event that will celebrate Victorian-era industrialism on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Strathearn Historical Park, 137 Strathearn Place in Simi Valley. Hours are 10am to 6pm. Adults $20. Kids 8-12 $8. Ages 7 and under free.

Event to feature vendors, entertainment, steampunk-themed activities, costumes, inventions, food and more. Learn more at rsrpd.org/recreation/the_great_outdoors.php