The annual Harvest Festival at Pierce College (only 20 miles from Thousand Oaks) will be held from September 26th to November 2nd.  Features a pumpkin patch, corn maze, Spookley the Square Pumpkin Stage Show, haunted house and trail tours, kids activities and rides, farm animals, hay rides, etc.  Admission is $4/person and the cost for the various other activities vary.  Visit  www.hauntedharvestfestival.com or call 818.999.6300 for more information.

Directions From Thousand Oaks:

Take the 101 freeway east to the DeSoto Ave. exit and go left (north) off the off-ramp. Stay in the right lane after Erwin. You will see the Halloween Harvest Festival ahead on the right. Turn right on Victory Blvd (east) and be prepared to make a right at the fence opening entrance almost immediately following your turn.  Click here for map..

Ventura County Fairgrounds Hosts Sixth Seaside Highland Games

The weekend of October 11 & 12 will see Scotland in all its color and pageantry come alive on the Fairgrounds as the Seaside Highland Games return to Ventura. The pipes—the Great Highland Bagpipes of Scotland—will signal the call to gather on that one special weekend when ALL are invited to join in the fun!

Hundreds of pipers and drummers along with all sorts of Scottish/Celtic entertainment will descend on the Ventura County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, the 11th & 12th of October and the gates are open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm each day. A wonderfully entertaining weekend of music, dance, athletics, children’s events, shopping, food and drink! Something for everyone and age doesn’t count! Seaside is known for bringing tradition to the field—with a twist! The ageless Celtic pastimes are honored but with a big nod to today. The pipes will play the tunes handed down through the ages—but don’t be surprised when you hear new and modern sounds emerging from those ancient reeds!

As usual, the talent lineup is a Who’s Who of Celtic Entertainment. Favorite Balladeer Alex Beaton will be sharing Center Stage with returning favorites The Browne Sisters & George Cavanaugh. Celtic Spring will delight and share an indoor stage with Golden Bough from the Northern California/Oregon region and everyone’s favorite wicked ones, the Wicked

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The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District presents the 33rd Annual Harvest Arts & Crafts Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. o Sunday, October 26th at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park (5005 Los Angeles Avenue, across from the Metrolink Station).  FREE admission to the public!

Event will include rows and rows of arts and crafts booths, fine art, photos, woodwork, crafts, holiday decorations, gifts and more.  Live entertainment!  Kids fun zone to include rock climbing wall, bouncer and slide.  Food and fun for all ages!  Wouldn't surprise me to see a pumpkin or two there!

For more information visit www.rsrpd.org or call 805.584.4400.

The October Classic Walk, Wheel or Run For Your Life 5K and 10K events will take place on Saturday, October 4th at Nordhoff High School in Ojai (1401 Maricopa Highway).  All proceeds will benefit the Ojai Valley Community Hospital.  Pre-register for the event by visiting www.octoberclassic.org or clicking here for a registration form in pdf format.  Or register the morning of the event beginning at 7:15 a.m.

The 10K run/walk starts at 8 a.m.  The 5K run/walk starts at 8:45 a.m.  The walk/wheelcheer event starts at 9 a.m.  Fees are $25 for 18 and over and $10 for kids under 18.  Wheelchair participants are free.  $200 cash prizes for top male/female overall runners!

Contact the Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation at 805.640.2317 with any questions.

Visit the Camarillo YMCA on Saturday, October 18th, for an active day by participating in an Adult 5K Run, followed by a Kids' Triathlon. The Adult 5K starts at 8am, and is open to anyone ages 16 and up. The Kids' Junior Triathlon starts at 8:45am, and will consist of a 50-yard swim, a 3-mile bike, and a 1-km Run.  It is open to children ages 7-10 years.  The Kids' Senior Triathlon starts at 9:15am, and will consist of a 100-yard swim, a 3-mile bike, and a 2-km run.  It is open to children ages 11-15 years. The cost to participate is $25 per person, per event. 

The Camarillo Family YMCA is located at 3111 Village at the Park Drive in Camarillo.  Visit www.ciymca.org/camarillo/ or call 805.484.0423 for more information.  Or click here to register at Active.com.

Kind of a unique event coming on Saturday, August 23rd at the Grant R. Brimhall Library in Thousand Oaks.  An opportunity for your kids to fill the sidewalks with art!  See flyer below.  Event is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

11th Annual

 FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL
at Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark

September 27th - October 31st
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Underwood Family Farms' 11th Annual Fall Harvest Festival features all of the activities from past years plus many, many more.  For the fourth year, Underwood Family Farms joins the Newbury Park Rotary for Oktoberfest on September 27th & 28th. 

Don't miss Tractor Weekend on October 11th & 12th (9am-6pm) with antique tractors and even a tractor parade! The remaining weekends will be filled with live entertainment from 10-5!  New this year, is Bluegrass, Fold & Old Time Weekend (more info TBA)  on October 18th & 19th.  Bluegrass Bands from in and around Ventura & LA Counties will be featured on both Underwood stages and around the farm.  Do you play Bluegrass?  Come on out with your instrument, join a group and jam!  The last weekend of the month, October 25th & 26th is All About Pumpkins!, featuring displays of pumpkins, squash, and gourds as well as new and different ways to decorate them!

Numerous varieties of gourds, winter squash, Indian corn, and other fall decorating accessories will be available for purchase. And, acres and acres of pumpkins, country games & activities and great photo opportunities!  Also, pig races and Barnyard Story Tales!  And lots and lots of great food!

The 2008 festival will be open from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm. Admission to the festival is $10.00 on Saturdays and Sundays and $3.00 per person Monday through Friday. Children under 2 are free.  On weekends, each person will receive a tractor-drawn wagon ride with their paid admission. Parking is FREE and on October 31st - Halloween - kids dressed in a full costume (not just a mask or face painted) will receive FREE admission!!

Click here for more information about and directions to Underwood Family Farms.

For the past sixteen years the Lemon Festival has been the biggest celebration in the Goleta area, and it keeps getting better each year. Be sure to stop by the 18th & 19th of October for the 17th annual California Lemon Festival, located at Girsh Park (directions below).  FREE ADMISSION AND PARKING THIS YEAR!

In addition to the sumptuous lemon food, fantastic family atmosphere, and cornucopia of entertainment and activities that have made this event the most anticipated in the Valley; we have expanded to include the Goleta Fall Classic Car and Street Rod Show. As always, the Lemon Festival will feature the most extensive 'Safety Street' in the county, our wildly-popular Pie-Eating Contests, arts and crafts vendors, and more food than you can shake a lemon-scented stick at. A petting zoo and amusement park rides add to the many things that make the California Lemon Festival fun for the whole family.

For more information visit www.lemonfestival.com or call the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce at 800.646.5382.

Girsh Park is located north of Santa Barbara in the heart of Goleta, California. Here's how to get there:

• Take the Storke Road exit off of the 101 Freeway,
• Head towards the ocean (away from the mountains) on Storke Road,
• Cross over Hollister Avenue,
• Pass McDonald's, The Home Depot and Fire Station 11 on your right, and
• Turn right on Phelps Road, which is the first street past the fire station.
• The park is on your right.

The Rotary Club of Santa Paula presents the annual Pumpkin Patch at Faulkner Farm, 14292 Telegraph Road in Santa Paula.  The event takes place on all weekends in October (4-5, 11-12, 17-18, 24-25) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be acres of bright orange pumpkins, a giant sunflower forest for the kids, towering hay pyramids, hay rides with historic information about the area, farm animals, pony rides, mini train rides, face painting, a country store, delicious food and great entertainment.

Decorate your home for fall with a variety of great harvest fare. Faulkner Farm has a bountiful crop of pumpkins, gourds, squash and corn stalks in a large array of sizes so you can bring that harvest spirit home.

Food and Treats
Delicious treats will make sure your little pumpkins don't go away hungry: mouth-watering tri-tip, country chicken sandwiches, corn on the cob, whole pies and slices, yummy cookies and other great baked goods, caramel apples, delicous ice cream, refreshing lemonade, soft drinks, berry juice, and hot fresh-brewed coffee.

Activities
Face Painting, Hay Pyramid, Pumpkin Patch, Harvest Festival, Sunflower Forest, Mini Train Rides, Small and Large Animals, Pony Rides, Music and Entertainment, Local Bands, Choral Groups, Dance Groups

Community Service
Santa Paula Rotary is operating these family fun-filled October weekend events along with many great area volunteer groups including the Future Farmers of America, 4-H, The Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Soroptomists and others.

For more information visit www.santapaularotary.org or visit www.faulknerfarmpumpkinpatch.com.  Or call 888.222.1884.

This event, formerly known as the Westlake Village Pumpkin Run, is now part of the annual Westlake Village City Celebration and is sponsored by K-Swiss, Future Track Running Club and the City of Westlake Village. 

On Sunday, October 26th, there will be a 5K Run/Walk at 8 a.m., 10K Speedwalk at 8 a.m., 10K Run at 9 a.m. and 1 Mile Fun Run at 9:15 a.m.  Entry fees are $20 per event (or $30 if you do both the 5K and 10K).  Age group awards will be given out and all finishers of the 1 Mile Mayor Health Challenge will receive a finisher award!

The event will be staged at Westlake Village City Hall and Library, 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village.  Plenty of parking available across Agoura Road at State Farm.  There will also be a post-race health expo until 11 a.m. as well as a FREE pancake breakfast.

Learn more about the event and pre-register at www.wlvcitycelebration.com.  This event is still in the early planning stages (as of early August) and there will be additional updates posted to that website.

MORE FREE MOVIES in town!  These ones are at The Lakes in Thousand Oaks on Monday nights at 7:45 p.m. the remainder of August.  Gotta love it!  More info at www.shoplakes.com or call 805.497.9861.  See lineup on flyer below:

SAVE THE DATE!

There will be trick or treating and a pet costume contest at Janss Marketplace at the corner of Moorpark Road and Hillcrest Drive on Friday, October 31st, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  More details to come at a later date.

SAVE THE DATE!

Trick or Treat Village will be held on Saturday, October 25th at Arroyo Vista Recreation Center, located at 4550 Tierra Rejada Road in Moorpark.  There will be spooky fun for everyone but details will be provided at a later date (heck, it's only August)!  For more information visit http://ci.moorpark.ca.us or call 805.517.6300.

The Calabasas Pumpkin Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 18th and 19th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lost Hills Road at Agoura Road (Street Fair) and DeAnza Park (3701 Lost Hills Road) for games, rides and pumpkins.

Admission is FREE and there is free shuttle service along Lost Hills Road.  There is also food, a beer garden, car show, crafts marketplace, live stage shows, contests and kids activities.

For more information visit www.calabasaspumpkinfestival.com or call 818.222.5680.

These three events are presented by the Conejo Recreation and Park District and will be held at the Thousand Oaks Community Center, 2625 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.  For more info call 805.381.2793.

Kids Health & Fitness Expo

Saturday, September 27th, Noon to 3 p.m.

Hands on fun activities for kids to explore and learn about nutrition and exercise.  Activity areas include Nutrition Alley, Kitchen Stadium, Active Games, Garden Planting & Fitness Challenges.  Entertainment includes Hip Hop Dance Performance, Muttley Crew Dog Show, DJ Dance - fun group dance songs like the cha cha slide and electric slide, Jump Rope Team Performance and much more.  First 5 of Ventura County will be sponsoring a preschool area.

Halloween Haunted Trail, Costume Contest and Trick-or-Treat Street

Saturday, October 25th, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Fun for the whole family.  Entertainment, reptile family at 7 p.m.  Trick-or-Treat Street at 7 p.m.  Costume Contest at 7:30 p.m. Haunted Trail at 7:30 p.m.

Kids' Swap Meet

Saturday, November 15th, 8 a.m. to Noon

Over 100 booths.  Kids sell their games, toys, recreational equipment and anything else they don't want anymore.  Great place for teachers, parents and grandparents to pick up toys and collectibles.  POPULAR EVENT!

These dances are for Conejo Valley 7th & 8th grade middle school teens only!  Call 805.494.5156 for more info or visit www.thousandoaksteencenter.com.