The 55th Annual Conejo Valley Days, to take place May 4 through May 8 at Conejo Creek Park South (23 Freeway/Janss Rd. exit) in Thousand Oaks, mixes the traditions of a western themed festival and rodeo with the all the excitement of extreme motocross. The five-day event is to feature live entertainment, more than 40 carnival rides, a section just for kids and free admission to Gymkhana, a thrilling set of equestrian competitions.
The CVD site will be reconfigured this year to make room for a 3,000-seat arena that will be the site of CVD’s equestrian and motocross events.
On Thursday and Friday, May 4 and 5, ConejoX3 motocross freestyle competition. featuring some of the best riders in the sport. takes over the arena. Show times are 6:30 p.m. on both days.
On Friday, May 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Corral 37 (http://www.eti37.org), the Conejo Valley Chapter of Equestrian Trails, Inc., will host timed speed events, where participants compete on horseback against the clock and each other. Known as “Gymkhana,” it highlights the speed and agility of the competitors.
“CVD is donating the arena facilities to Corral 37,” said Frank Akrey, CVD chairperson. “It’s our way of recognizing and appreciating the very large and active equestrian community in the Conejo Valley.”
The first-ever Showdeeo in Ventura county (featuring all the extreme fun of a rodeo) will be held Saturday, May 7 at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m. in the main arena. Included in the rodeo will be bull riding, trick roping and riding, bull poker, and plenty of cowboys, cowgirls, costumed riders and clowns.
Performers include Tomas Garcilazo a third generation charro, who has performed worldwide, including before presidents of both the United States and Mexico. The Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls, world renowned for their trick riding and trick roping, will perform acrobatic stunts and complicated roping routines. For good measure, extreme motorcycle jumping will be part of the show.
Opening each two-hour rodeo will be the unveiling of a giant American flag, a vintage western stagecoach, dozens of cowboys, cowgirls and charros, local mounted police and a military color guard. Corral 37 will also be a part of the rodeo.
Its Conejo Riders Mounted Drill Team will open each show. Corral 37 will also hold barrel-racing contests where five riders will race around 55-gallon drums in the arena for prizes. A half hour before each performance will be a “Children’s Coin Dig” for buried “treasure.” Kids ages three through 10 with tickets to the rodeo are eligible to participate.
VIP tickets for the Saturday evening show are available for $75 and include separate parking, a beer, wine and appetizer reception and preferred seating.
The CVD carnival will feature some of the most exciting and popular rides in the country including a giant Ferris wheel.
“We’ll also have a separate area just for kids’ rides and entertainment called ‘Familyville,’” said Akrey.
Other sections at CVD include Club Carn. This is a new dance party in the carnival for teens late night on Friday and Saturday.
A completely “hands-on” museum of music is likely to be a hit for budding young musicians. Presented by Ken McMeans, “A World of Music” will include hundreds of instruments from around the world that kids (and adults) can play. An ongoing rhythm workshop, a Blue Man Group station, a kid’s band area and electronic instrument section are all included.
A good old-fashioned tradition at CVD is the Whiskeroo contest, where contestants show off their stylish beards for a chance at winning ribbons and CVD official Whiskeroo belt buckles. The competition is set for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 on the CVD Conejo Stage. No preregistration is necessary. For more information, call 805-496-7045.
CVD hours are Wednesday and Thursday, May 4 and 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday, May 6, 5:00 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, May 7, noon to midnight and Sunday, May 8, noon to 6:00 p.m.
“Each year, over 30 nonprofit groups from throughout the community and hundreds of volunteers make CVD happen,” says Akrey. “CVD is often the biggest fundraiser of the year for them. We encourage festival goers to play tons of booth games, eat plenty of hot dogs and funnel cakes and support all these great groups.”
Rodeo or ConejoX3 tickets are $21 for adults and $16 for children (ages four through 16). Both are free for children ages three and under but they must share a single seat with an adult. Tickets can be purchased on the Conejo Valley Days website, during CVD or at the event. Special discounts are available when purchasing both CVD entry and rodeo or ConejoX3 tickets.
CVD admission is $8 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6 through 12 and free for kids 5 and under. Bring five cans of food items on opening night, Wednesday, May 4 and receive $3 off an admission ticket. The canned food will be donated to FOOD Share (http://www.foodshare.org), Ventura County’s food bank. Active military personnel with valid military id get in free on Friday, May 6.
For more information or to order tickets in advance, go to http://www.conejovalleydays.org. Follow CVD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConejoValleyDays and on Twitter.