47th Annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show and Craft Brew Festival on Sunday, May 5, 2024

Mark your calendars for the 47th Annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show & Craft Brew Festival on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Held from noon – 5pm (11:00 am entry for VIP tickets), this family friendly extravaganza will take place at Conejo Creek Park North at Janss Rd & Hwy 23 in Thousand Oaks.

There will be over 40 chili tasting booths – and included with your general admission is free unlimited chili tasting. Returning again is the popular Craft Brew Festival – an event within an event – with a multitude of participating breweries! There will also be a Classic & Custom Car Show in several style and vintage categories and live music on two stages. Also on hand will be over a dozen food trucks and beverage booths and a free kids’ fun zone.

The Chili Cook-Off is proudly presented by the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, with 100% of the net proceeds going to local charities.  Day of event general admission is $25, VIP for $40, with kids 10 & under getting in for free; $75 gets you all the fun of the Cook-Off plus exclusive admission to the Craft Brew Festival, and the top ticket package for VIP/Chili/Craft Brew tickets goes for $100. Tickets will be available in advance, along with more information at www.chili-cook-off.com  

35th Annual Knights of Columbus Chili Cook-Off & Car Show in Simi Valley on Saturday, June 22, 2024

The 35th Annual Simi Valley Knights of Columbus Chili Cook-Off & Car Show is planned for Saturday, June 22, 2024 on the St Rose of Lima church grounds at 1305 Royal Ave, Simi Valley. Event hours are 10am to 4pm.

Sample chili, explore cars and enjoy the day with family and friends! Live bands and entertainment, large kids area, chili tasting galore, car show (over 100 cars) and vendors. There will also be plenty of vendors booths and ample quantities of food and drink.

Overflow parking available across the street at Royal High School.

General admission to the daytime event is $20. Seniors, children under 13 and active military with ID are $10. Family pass $50. Admission includes chili tastings, until the chili is gone.

More information at www.chilikc.com.

36th Annual Ojai Wine Festival at Lake Casitas on Saturday, June 15, 2024

The 36th Annual Ojai Wine Festival is the longest running wine festival in Ventura County. Overlooking scenic Lake Casitas in the Ojai Valley, The Ojai Wine Festival is an idyllic venue to taste award winning wines, amazing craft beers, fine spirits, ciders, kombucha and spiked seltzers. A bountiful selection of wineries and craft breweries will be represented along with a tempting selection of gourmet food trucks selling delicious culinary cuisine. Patrons can shop to their heart’s delight among the arts and crafts booths. Bid on the Silent Wine Auction featuring fine wines, private tasting parties, VIP tours of wineries, artisan crafts and much more.

Admission includes unlimited tastes of wine, beer and spirits, a keepsake crystal wine glass, live band/lakeside dance floor, shop at the fine artisan vendors & gourmet food trucks & bid on the silent auction. Limited to 2500 people.

Non-drink admission tickets are $25 available only on event day.

Children 12 years and under gain free admission with a paying adult. Children must be always monitored.

About Ojai Wine Festival

The Ojai Wine Festival is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Ojai-West Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose charitable projects focus on improving education, aiding low-income families, and supporting activities that enrich the lives of area youth. Fitting examples of important projects include our science based Rotary Floating Classroom, Third Grade Dictionary Project, Nordhoff High School’s “Service Above Self” scholarships for graduating seniors, and free Ojai Community Summer Band Concerts. International projects are fostered by the Rotary Foundation through donations from Rotary Club of Ojai West. The Rotary Foundation’s goals are to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.

Visit www.ojaiwinefestival.com to purchase tickets.

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.

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.

38th Annual California Strawberry Festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds May 18-19, 2024

The 38th Annual California Strawberry Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, 2024 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura). Festivalgoers can indulge in strawberry treats from over 50 food and beverage booths. The festival features artists and crafters, a Ninja Nation obstacle course, live entertainment on two stages, "build-your-own" strawberry shortcake and more.

Since its inception, the nonprofit California Strawberry Festival has donated over $5 million to Southern California charitable organizations. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $15, active military with ID and family and seniors 62 and over, $10, youth ages 5 to 12, $8, children 4 and under, free. Limited parking onsite is $20 per vehicle. Visitors are encouraged to use the free shuttle service at the 6 locations nearby. Amtrak station across the street. For more information, go to www.CAStrawberryFestival.org.

36th Annual Senior Concerns Ultimate Dining Experience at Hyatt Westlake on March 23, 2024

Senior Concerns is pleased to announce the 36th Annual Ultimate Dining Experience on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Westlake. Building on the exuberant spirit that has made Ultimate Dining an annual highlight, this year’s theme is A Night at the Moulin Rouge! As guests arrive, they will be invited to enjoy a signature cocktail, browse the silent and wine auctions, and sample delightful food and wine pairings from celebrated local restaurants, breweries and wineries. The evening’s festivities will continue with a gourmet three-course dinner and a high-spirited live auction.

A highlight of the event will be the presentation of Senior Concerns’ 2024 Philanthropist of the Year. Senior Concerns’ Board of Directors has chosen to honor Sherwood Cares, the charitable foundation of the Sherwood Country Club. Founded in 2013, Sherwood Cares provides tremendous support to local community nonprofits. Senior Concerns has been honored to receive consistent grant funding from Sherwood Cares every year since its inception.

“The support we receive from Sherwood Cares has made a tremendous impact and has helped enable Senior Concerns to serve a growing senior population here in the Conejo Valley,” says Andrea Gallagher, President of Senior Concerns.

Reservations are required to attend Ultimate Dining. To learn more and reserve your seats, please visit www.seniorconcerns.org/ultimate-dining. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Any questions about event reservations or to learn more about sponsorship, please contact Janet Young, Director of Development, at 805-497-0189 or via email at jyoung@seniorconcerns.org.

16th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival on Saturday, December 2, 2023

The 16th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival, presented by Oxnard Recreation & Community Services, is planned for Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Plaza Park in Downtown Oxnard. This festive event includes food and arts and crafts vendors, live music and a kids’ zone. More info at www.oxnardrecevents.com/tamale-festival.html

Westlake High School Instrumental Music Food Truck Festival on Sunday, October 22, 2023

Westlake High School Instrumental Music Boosters presents its annual Food Truck Festival on Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 11am to 4pm at Conejo Creek Park North, adjacent to the Thousand Oaks Library at 1379 E. Janss Road.

Enjoy a beautiful day, with great music, delicious food from gourmet food trucks, kids activities, silent auction and raffle.

Tickets $8 presale and $10 at event. Food sold separately. Buy tickets and learn more at whsband.org/foodtruckfestival..

Proceeds support WHS Instrumental Music programs.

37th Annual California Avocado Festival in Carpinteria, October 7-8, 2023

The 37th Annual California Avocado Festival takes place October 7 and 8, 2023. Festival hours 10am to 10pm Saturday and 10am to 6pm Sunday.

One of the largest free festivals in California with over 60 music acts on three stages.

The AvoEXPO TENT is home to Avocado agricultural photos, historical photos, lessons in avocado grafting, FFA restored antique tractors, and the Largest Avocado Contest.

The FOOD VENUE will have plenty of avocado dishes so come hungry, and enjoy some avocado creations!!!

There will also be merchant booths with local vendors, a ferris wheel, guacamole contest and much more.

The events are located in downtown Carpinteria on Linden Avenue

Visitt www.avofest.com for more information.