Plans made for Spring Fest

Spring isn’t far away, and to put the community’s many new and vibrant businesses on display the Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce and The Acorn will host a 2005 Spring Fest and Business Expo Sat., April 9.

The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., also will showcase the recently opened Oak Park Community Center in Oak Park.

"It’s always been the Chamber’s goal to reach out to the community," said Louis Masry, Chamber of Commerce president. "Spring Fest and Business Expo 2005 will be an excellent get-acquainted opportunity."

Officials expect many vendors will be in attendance. Merchant booths will cost $100 and $50 for nonprofit organizations. A raffle drawing will include several top prizes, including A sevend-day cruise,weekend in Las Vegas and box seats to the Lakers.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Agoura and Oak Park High School student activity funds.

"This will be a great chance for the residents to get to know their local businesses and also help the high schools at the same time," said Alex Soteras, Chamber first vice president.

Admission to the event will be free. Families also will enjoy activities for kids, a food sampling from the area’s top restaurants, and live music and other entertainment.

The Chamber, which has grown from 150 to more than 1,000 members in the past four years, includes merchants, corporate officers and other business leaders from Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks.

The Oak Park Community Center and Oak Canyon Community Park, considered by many to be the "crown jewel" of the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District with its scenic mountain setting and outdoor gardens, is located at 5600 Holleytree Drive, just off Kanan Road in Oak Park.

For more information about the Chamber of Commerce 2005 Spring Fest and Business Expo and to reserve a vendor booth, please call 889-3150.