The Ride Has Just Begun at Conejo Valley Days

Temperatures may have cooled, but action at Conejo Valley Days heated up Wednesday with the opening of the annual event’s five-day carnival.

Noting that rain delayed the carnival last year, on-site chairman Kim Ruda promised that the weather would be “fantastic this year.”

Temperatures were in the mid-70s Wednesday, after Thousand Oaks recorded a blistering 102 on Tuesday.

“But it’ll warm back up a little bit for the weekend,” Ruda said.

Ruda said he expected about 45,000 people to visit the carnival through Sunday.

Organizers have added a free-fall drop to the carnival’s three dozen rides, Ruda said.

The carnival, at Conejo Creek Park South at Janss Road and the Moorpark Freeway, will run from 5 to 10 p.m. today, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $6; $5 for students and seniors; $3 for children ages 6 to 12; and free for children under 6.

“Fun Night” wristbands, available today for $17, allow unlimited rides plus admission.

The carnival features rides, food, magicians, dance groups and other live entertainment daily. A rodeo will be at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday and at 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday.

More information is available at 371-8730 or at www.conejovalleydays.com.