A Pint-Sized Parade Marks Conejo Days

The Larson brothers of Thousand Oaks partied like country-and-Western stars Saturday morning.

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Holding guitars and standing before dummy microphones, the three boys stood on a moving stage reminiscent of the “Hee Haw” television show.

As country music blared from speakers behind them, the brothers, who range in age from 2 to 7, stood on straw and bundles of hay. Their parents, Mitch and Michele, got to push the float.

The brothers stood out among the 40 or so entries in the annual Conejo Valley Days children’s parade.

Dressed in overalls without shirts, the brothers--Jordan, Seth and Derek--called their float the “The Farm Boys Bustin’ Barn Dance.” Their father, a building contractor, said he stayed up until 2 a.m. Saturday finishing the float.

He had a good motivation. “My wife forced me to do this,” he said.

Conejo Valley Days officials said the children-only event is held to save youngsters the long walk in the festival’s major parade on Friday. About 300 children walked the half-mile parade route through the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall on Saturday. And 100 or so parents and other spectators lined the street to watch.

“You couldn’t ask for a better day,” said Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Wendall Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt sat astride Mr. Jingle Jangles, one of the department’s horses, as cowboy-garbed children gathered around to pet the equine.

Meanwhile, children of all ages were dressed as everything from a karate expert to a princess. Many converted their red Radio Flyer wagons into covered wagons or mobile tepees.

“I’m tired,” said 8-year-old Jason Langlois. The Thousand Oaks boy served as wagon master of the Pioneer Partners, a group of children from the Valley High neighborhood.

Bill and Chris Purdy have gathered the children in their Newbury Park neighborhood and entered them in the parade as the “Conejo Cowpokes” for at least the last three years.

“We’ve been doing this for years,” Chris Purdy said, unable to recall exactly how many years it has been.

The “Conejo Cowpokes” were led this year by the Purdys’ fox terrier, Ruth Ann. The Cowpokes changed their name last year after being known as the “Conejo Cowgirls” the previous year.

“We had to do it for obvious reasons,” Bill Purdy said, noting that several boys had joined the neighborhood’s annual procession the last two years.

Conejo Valley Days runs through April 30 with a variety of activities and events planned, culminating with a rodeo on the last day. The adult version of the Conejo Valley Days Parade is scheduled for 9 a.m. along Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Conejo Valley Days

All events are held at Conejo Creek Park, Moorpark Freeway and Janss Road, unless otherwise noted. Carnival admission is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and students, $2 for children ages 7 to 12 and free for children 6 and under.

TODAY

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Chili Cook-Off 1 p.m.: Whiskeroo Contest

WEDNESDAY

5 to 10 p.m.: Carnival

THURSDAY

Noon: Inter-service club luncheon, Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel 5 to 10 p.m.: Family Night at the Carnival; prices drop to $3 for adults, $2 for senior citizens and students, $1 for children ages 7 to 12 7 p.m.: Women’s Western Wear contest

FRIDAY

5 p.m. to midnight: Carnival 5 to 10 p.m.: Bingo

APRIL 29

9 a.m.: Parade, Thousand Oaks Boulevard Noon to midnight: Carnival Noon to 6 p.m.: Western Pit Bar-B-Que; $6 adults, $4.50 children 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.: Rodeo 2 to 10 p.m.: Bingo

APRIL 30

Noon to 8 p.m.: Carnival Noon to 8 p.m.: Bingo Noon to 6 p.m.: Western Pit Bar-B-Que; $6 adults, $4.50 children 1 and 4 p.m.: Rodeo