Mission Statment
Dedicated to the Community and the Volunteer spirit of the Conejo Valley and whole hearted support of local nonprofit and service organizations
About
Conejo Valley Days entertains 55,000 visitors each year over the five-day festival. With carnival rides, commercial vendors, arts & crafts, community organizations, games, food and a wonderful community spirit, it is truly a long-standing celebration perfect for the whole family
The small group of friends and neighbors who started the idea of Conejo Valley Days has grown into a network of clubs, organizations, charities, sponsors and hundreds of volunteers who work every year, throughout the year, to guarantee the success of Conejo Valley Days, as a community event that provides a wonderful source of fundraising for so many needed services and projects in our community. Conejo Valley Days - a community tradition for generations
In 1994, Conejo Valley Activities Corporation was created to provide oversight for Conejo Valley Days. This corporation is comprised of a number of non-profit organizations located in Conejo Valley. The Conejo Valley Activities Corporation distributes the net proceeds in the form of grants back to non-profit organizations and other community organizations for improvements, such as park improvements, equipment, etc. These non-profit organizations of CVAC work each year as volunteers to coordinate, plan and present a Conejo Valley Days that is fun for all and helps the community year after year.
Now in its 54th year, Conejo Valley Days (CVD) is an annual celebration of our valley's rich heritage and volunteer spirit. It is the largest, all-volunteer festival on the west coast, which is an astounding demonstration of the amazing volunteers that make up our community. CVD helps make our community a great place to live. Here is a list of our past General Chairpersons, Grand Marshals, and Conejo Valley Days themes
In the early years, the late 40's, at the the old Jungleland compound, Conejo Valley Days was a "Community Circus" according to the Oak Post Newspaper. Special appearances by "moving picture actors" and the crowning of a Circus Queen made the event a draw and success.
During the second year the parade was added to the festivities starting at Conejo School Road and ending at Jungleland. It was joked that more people were in the parade than were watching. Believe it or not, they even had Camel races! Small groups worked fundraising food booths to raise money for a "much-needed speaker system for the whole town to use."
As it grew, Conejo Valley Days added more attractions with the first Whiskeroo Contest (38 bearded and mustachioed gents) and 31 ladies put on their Western best for the first Ladies Western Dress Contest. A BBQ was added to feed the crowds and help raise dollars for local causes.
By the mid-50's rides were a part of Conejo Valley Days and the Beauty Contest was the talk of the event, with local lovelies raising monies at 10 cents a vote for charity to win the coveted title of "Conejo Valley Days Queen."
In 1956, the Conejo Valley Days Beauty Pageant was held at the old Acorn Movie Theatre. It culminated with a royal Coronation Ball held at Peterson's Barn. At this point Conejo Valley Days, as an annual fundraising event for the community, was well on its way. The new Conejo Activities Committee (CVAC), a group of friends and neighbors including legend Donna "Conejo" Fargo, laid the groundwork for the Conejo Valley Days Parade, with Mabel Stark, famed lion tamer, selected as "Honorary Grand Marshal." With proceeds from the annual celebration the CVAC decided the community needed a park. Local residents, Mr. & Mrs. Otto Erbes, donated the land for Estella Park, located in the heart of downtown Thousand Oaks and still enjoyed today by community residents.
TV Star, Ward Bond, and his wagon train led the Conejo Valley Days Parade in 1958 and community booths and rides were added to the annual festivities. The Honorary Mayor's Race was born in 1960 with local residents vying for the title by raising dollars for charity. The Junior Women's Club saw their candidate, Bob Talley, named the first "Honorary Mayor" of Conejo Valley Days. This time the dollars were earmarked for a community recreation center. Once again, the land was donated by the Janss family with materials and labor donated or provided at cost. Today's residents know it as the Conejo Community Center at Dover and Hendrix. This race changed names to the Grand Marshal Race for Charity when the City of Thousand Oaks incorporated.
Each year since then, Conejo Valley Days has made it possible for community clubs and organizations to continue their projects in our community from scholarships to play grounds. See you there!
Letter from the President
I'm honored to be a part of CVD and to lead a great team of volunteers into the next step in the evolution of the crown jewel of events in the Conejo Valley, "Conejo Valley Days". Through the years we've had movie stars and millionaires grace our celebration but the real stars have always been the non profits that come together unselfishly each year to raise money for our neighbors in need. To provide services, equipment and care for people around us everyday in our community. The money raised goes directly back into our Valley and is a true labor of love for the volunteers that work year round to keep this tradition alive and available to all. Please come to Conejo Valley Days and celebrate together the giving back to individuals that rely on our help to live a better life.
As a personal favor to me, make an effort to know your neighbors and check on the elderly on your street. Lets take the time to love each other and look out for each other. This is our town, lets continue to make it a great one and be proud of how we choose to live each day, one day at a time.
Frank Akrey
President
CVAC / CVD
