39th Annual California Strawberry Festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds May 17-18, 2025

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The 39th Annual California Strawberry Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, 2025 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura). Festivalgoers can indulge in strawberry treats from over 50 food and beverage booths. Strawberry-themed nachos, chocolate-dipped strawberries, strawberry kabobs, popcorn, and margaritas are just a few of the choices. The festival also features 150 artists and crafters, a Strawberryland for kids, live entertainment on three stages, carnival rides, and a "build-your-own" strawberry shortcake experience.

Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days. General admission is $15, active military with ID and family and seniors 62 and over, $10, youth ages 5 to 12, $8 and children 4 and under are free. Limited parking onsite. Visitors are encouraged to use the free shuttle service nearby or take advantage of the Ventura Amtrak Station across the street. For more information, go to www.CAStrawberryFestival.org.

2025 Scandinavian Festival at Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks on April 5-6

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Quite possibly one of my top 5 favorite desserts on earth, Aebleskiver.

Quite possibly one of my top 5 favorite desserts on earth, Aebleskiver.

The largest Nordic festival in Southern California will return to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks April 5-6, 2025

This 51st iteration of the Scandinavian Festival will celebrate the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Sami people from the Arctic regions of Scandinavia. The festival will run from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday, with music, dancing, food, crafts, demonstrations (food and Nordic crafts), vendors and activities for people of all ages in Kingsmen Park.

The festival will offer a games area for competitive activities, including Viking chess, a strategy game from the Middle Ages. People also can play Dala horse croquet and the ancient Viking game of kubb. Children and adults can also paint a wooden Viking ship, decorate head wreaths with flowers and ribbon and dance around the maypole. There will also be performances at the Children’s Stage and the Main Stage most of the day, featuring fantastic performers and musicians.

In the Nordic Country Crafts Tent, children can make free craft souvenirs representing each Scandinavian nation and earn a reward for collecting passport stickers from each activity.

Festivalgoers can wander through an authentic Scandinavian encampment and a Sami siidastallan, or community gathering. They can ask a rune reader for advice, trace their family trees with the help of genealogy experts and buy Scandinavian handicrafts. Aebleskivers, Viking dogs, Swedish meatballs and other favorites will be available in the food court.

Tickets are $20 at the gate. Early bird tickets available for $15 through February 28 at scandinavianfest.org. Kids 12 and under are free of charge, accompanied by adult.

The campus is located at 60 W. Olsen Road.

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2025 Conejo Valley Parade Planned for Sunday, May 18, 2025

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The 2025 Conejo Valley Parade is planned for Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 9am on Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. The parade will include floats, vintage cars, horses, and other participants. The parade is organized by the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise and Fargo’s Angels.

The parade will start at the corner of Duesenberg Drive and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, heading west and ending Conejo School Road. The route is approximately one mile long.

For more detailed information, volunteering, sponsorships and participating in the parade, visit www.conejovalleyparade.org.

City of Moorpark Earth Festival and Community Yard Sale on Saturday, May 3, 2025

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The City of Moorpark presents its Earth Festival and Community Yard Sale on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 9am to 1pm. There will be tree giveaways (first 100 households) seed packet giveaways, recycled crafts and eco-friendly vendors.

The Community Yard Sale is a gathering of many families and non-profits selling used items including housewares, clothing, toys and more at the Arroyo Vista Community Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark from 9 am to 1 pm. Free to the public. www.moorparkca.gov/663/Earth-Festival-Community-Yard-Sale

2025 Santa Barbara Fair & Expo April 24-27 and May 2-4

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The Annual Santa Barbara Fair and Expo is planned for April 24-27 and May 2-4, 2025 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara.

The event will feature carnival rides, farm animals, fair food, great live entertainment and more. There will be over 30 rides and attractions, pony rides, petting zoo, kids' carnival, live entertainment featuring music, illusions, dancing, magic and more, expo showcase of local foods, wine and beer, arts and crafts, horticulture and fine arts displays, free samples of featured desserts, appetizers and other foods at the Fair & Expo Cooking Contest and interactive exhibits. Fair hours as follows:

  • Thursday April 24th, 4pm - 9pm (Carnival 10pm)

  • Friday April 25th, 4pm - 10pm (Carnival 12am)

  • Saturday April 26th, 11am - 10pm (Carnival 12am)

  • Sunday April 27th, 11am - 9pm (Carnival 10pm)

  • Friday May 2nd, 4pm - 10pm (Carnival 10pm)

  • Saturday May 3rd, 11am - 10pm (Carnival 12am)

  • Sunday May 4th, 11am - 9pm (Carnival 10pm)

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit earlwarren.com/events/santa-barbara-fair-and-expo.

Arbor Day Celebration in Calabasas on Saturday, March 15, 2025

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The City of Calabasas will host an Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until noon at Wild Walnut Park, 23050 Mulholland Hwy.

The event is free and residents are welcome to come out and get involved in helping to create a beautiful and healthy environment in Calabasas.

www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/public-works/environmental-igr-division/arbor-day

Egg Scramble at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park in Simi Valley on April 19, 2025

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Celebrate the eggcitement of the coming of spring at the Egg Scramble for ages 10 and under on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley starting at 9 a.m. Call 805.584.4456 for more information. Free admission. Rain cancels the event. www.rsrpd.org

Bring your own basket! And a canned good or non-perishable food donation for the Samaritan Center.

2025 City of Moorpark Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19th

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The Annual City of Moorpark Easter Egg Hunt takes place on Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Arroyo Vista Community Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark. 

Admission is paid per child (ages 1+) (adults enter free with paid children) and must be purchased in advance. Infants under one enter free with paid sibling.

  • Wristbands purchased 3/3-3/31: $10 per child

  • Wristbands purchased 4/1-4/17: $13 per child

  • If available, wristbands may be sold at the event for $16 per child.

Wristbands are your child's admission to the event and allow them to participate in one (1) time-specific egg hunt, and unlimited access to carnival games, attractions, and crafts.

To purchase wristbands you must come in person to the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center (4550 Tierra Rejada Road, open Mon-Fri 8:30-6:00).

Children will enjoy an event full of Easter fun with age-appropriate egg hunts, photo opps with the Easter Bunny, crafts, carnival games, and attractions (bounce houses, slide, obstacle course, and petting zoo).

How it works: Bring your favorite basket, collect as many eggs as you can, and turn them all in for a prize! For safety reasons, parents are allowed in hunts only as indicated in the schedule. Strollers and pets are not allowed in any egg hunt. All hunts are age specific. Please note that each hunt has a maximum capacity. A Family Hunt is available toward the end of the event if your hunt is full. Prizes distributed at this event are not recommended for children under 3 years of age.

More info at moorparkca.gov/egghunt.

Oak Park Egg Scramble Event at Mae Boyar Park on Saturday, April 19, 2025

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The Rancho Simi Recreation & Park District Egg Scramble Event is planned for Saturday, April 19, 2025 at Mae Boyar Park, 130 N. Kanan Road, Oak Park from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The egg hunt is for ages 10 and under (BYOB - Bring Your Own Basket):

  •     Ages 2 and under at 9:30 a.m.

  •     Ages 3-5 at 10 a.m.

  •     Ages 6-7 at 10:30 a.m.

  •     Ages 8-10 at 11:00 a.m.

Free of charge. Rain cancels the event.

Visit www.rsrpd.org for more information.