Attend a city celebration, browse native plants or climb aboard some trucks this weekend at free events across Ventura County.
It's a busy Oct. 10 with the annual Westlake Village City Celebration at the Westlake Village Civic Center, Plantpalooza & Eco Fest at Conejo Creek North Park in Thousand Oaks and the annual Touch-a-Truck at Hueneme Beach Park in Port Hueneme.
These family-friendly events offer hands-on activities for kids of all ages, plenty of entertainment and even some food and beverage options. Plan an outing outside of your comfort zone at these upcoming events.
Westlake Village celebrates community
This year’s event will celebrate the community with live music, food trucks and carnival rides, said Kaitlyn Roush, community services manager for Westlake Village.
Visitors
can enjoy the festivities 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Westlake Village Civic Center, 31200 Oak Crest Drive.
Proceeds from ride ticket sales will benefit White Oak Elementary School’s Parent Faculty Club and proceeds from beer and wine garden hosted by Wolfe Canyon Taphouse — formerly 14 Cannons Brewery — will benefit the Westlake Village Community Foundation, according to the event website.
Other activities include a meet-and-greet with emergency personnel and performances from the Agoura High School Jazz Band and magician Brian Hoffman.
For more information, visit wlv.org/229/City-Celebration.
Plantpalooza goes wild in Thousand Oaks
Now in its fifth year, Plantpalooza at the Lakeside Pavilion of Conejo Creek North Park will feature nearly 50 exhibits, said Anne Russell, an outreach committee chair for event host Conejo Open Space Foundation.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 10 guests can stop by the park at 1379 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks.
The free event will include native plants and other environmentally focused items for sale, along with giveaways. About 800 people are expected for the event, she said.
Plantpalooza will also feature bee experts, including Byron Levy of Byron's Bees/Save My Bees, who relocates swarms and sells honey and beeswax candles, she said.
New exhibitors include the Ojai Raptor Center, the Malibu Monarch Project and Aventura Gardens, which will offer native plants, she said. Pedals & Pints Brewing Co. will host a beer garden and other food vendors are slated to attend.
Athens Services, Thousand Oaks' trash and recycling hauler, will provide free compost, and attendees are encouraged to bring a bucket or bag to take some home.
For more information, visit cosf.org.
Touch-a-Truck in Port Hueneme
About 25 to 30 vehicles, including military, construction, mail and emergency vehicles, are expected at Touch-a-Truck, said Taylor Penny, recreation coordinator for the city of Port Hueneme.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10, participants can head over to Hueneme Beach Park, 550 Surfside Drive in Port Hueneme. Free parking is available in lots A, B and along Surfside Drive, according to the event website.
Attendees can climb into the vehicles, honk the horn and more, Penny said.
Youths will receive passports listing participating vehicles and can collect stamps from each one, Penny said. Those who collect enough stamps can receive a toy truck. About 900 toys were distributed last year, she said.
The event also allows youths to learn about different careers by talking with firefighters and other professionals about how they entered their fields.
Visitors can purchase food at the featured food trucks on site.
For more information, visit ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/1382/2026-Touch-a-Truck.
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Check out these 3 free, family-friendly events across Ventura County
