Deadline is tomorrow to participate in Reyes Adobe Days parade, cook-off

Comedian and local resident Gallagher, city officials and other local dignitaries attended a recent kick-off event for Reyes Adobe Days and were treated to a sampling of what the three-day event, scheduled on Oct. 14-16, will offer to the community.

Gallagher will serve as grand marshal during the Reyes Adobe Days parade on Sat., Oct. 15. He announced that he’d like to add to the festivities by throwing out small toys and candy to children during the parade.

A self-proclaimed “idea man,” Gallagher suggested that the children be allowed to create a brick, named for their families, to be included in an adobe wall at the museum site.

“If you’ve got kids, you’ve got to give them something to do,” Gallagher said.

Guests enjoyed a sample of some of the Mexican food to be served during Reyes Adobe Days. Mama Rita’s in Westlake Village offered an array of home-cooked Mexican fare, including tamales, enchiladas, chimichangas, taquitos, Mexican Caesar salad, handmade tortilla chips, guaca-mole and “crispitos,” flour tortillas fried with sugar and cinnamon.

Emily Miller, one of the event coordinators, said there is something for everybody during the festival.

“We will start the event with the wisest people in the family,” said Miller, in reference to the “Fiesta at the Adobe” senior luncheon on Fri., Oct. 14, featuring live entertainment and tours of the Reyes Adobe site.

That evening, teens will be the stars of the celebration. The “Hay Fever” teen dance is scheduled from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Agoura Hills Recreation Center. The dance will include a DJ, laser tag, refreshments and other activities.

Dale Sumersille, Agoura Hills recreation manager, described other attractions, including an “old time jail,” square dancing lessons, Native American crafts, games, rancho cooking, flamenco dancers and a live demonstration from a blacksmith.

Tours of the 19th-century home and barn will be conducted throughout the weekend. The Reyes Adobe is believed to be the first home in Agoura, built in 1850 by the family of Juan Francisco Reyes.

The “Now and Then” parade will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturdaystarting at Ironwood and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, moving to Reyes Adobe Road and ending at Reyes Adobe Park.

The parade will feature floats created by community groups, costumed bands, antique autos, drilteams, businesses, schools and other organizations. Marching bands, cheerleaders, equestrian groups and personnel from the fire and sheriff’s departments are expected to participate.

The main event—A Day at the Adobe—will be at Reyes Adobe Park on Sat., Oct. 15 from 10 a.mto 4 p.m. The Reyes Round-up will offer a variety of family activitiesfrom making soap and tortillas to grinding corn, firing bricks and roping. Guests will also learn how to pump water as people did in the early mission days. Pony rides and a petting zoo will be available for children.

For the adults, the Reyes roundup area will have information on local California history. Live entertainment during the day will include a mariachi band, flamenco dancers and Native American artists.

Horseshoe Alley will be an adult and child-pleaser with game booths run by the parent-faculty clubs from the elementary schools, a food courand an arts and crafts show featuring handmade goods from local artisansDonna Conlin, recreation manager, told guests that families wilhave the opportunity to drive miniracecars. Half of the money raised by the car attraction will be donated to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, she said.

The final day, Sun., Oct. 16, will feature a $5 pancake breakfasserved from 8 to 11 a.m. that wilinclude pancakes, eggs, sausagejuice and coffee.

An 8K race and 1-mile fun run will begin at Reyes Adobe Park and end near the Agoura/Calabasas Community Center. The entry fee includes the cost of breakfast. A portion of the money raised through the 8K Race will be donated to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.

A horse “play day” will be held at the Old Agoura Equestrian Center at 9 a.m. Contests will be open for riders of all ages.

“A Taste of the West” cook-off contest will be featured at Whizins Shopping Center from 3 to 5 p.m. Sumersille said that the public will vote for their favorite dish in the cook-off, with a custom basket and trophy to be presented to the winner. City officials expect residents to enter their award-winning chili, tri-tip recipes, baked goods and other recipes in the contest.

Reyes Adobe Days will conclude with a surprise concert at the shopping center from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The featured artist has not been announced.

Shuttle services will be available on Rainbow Crest Drive.

Entry forms for the parade and the Taste of the West cook-off are due on Fri., Sept. 30. Entry fees have been waived for this year’s inaugural event celebrating the anniversary opening of the Reyes Adobe Historical site in October 2004.

For information on the parade call the Agoura Hills Recreation Department at (818) 597-7361. For information on the Taste of the West, call Linda Carhart at (818) 889-3458.