Ranch era will come alive during Reyes Adobe Days
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

The third annual Reyes Adobe Days, an Agoura Hills festival featuring entertainment, music, cultural activities and recreation for all ages, is expected to be "extra special" this year, according to city officials.

The three-day festival is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, Oct. 12, 13 and 14. Activities will take place at various locations of the city, culminating at the Reyes Adobe historical site.

To celebrate the city of Agoura Hills' 25th anniversary, officials have a few surprises in store for residents.

At a Reyes Adobe Days kickoff held Sept. 20 at the historic rancho, city officials announced that a time capsule buried 25 years ago will be unearthed at the festival and its contents revealed.

Amy Brink, director of community services, said the capsule will become a traveling exhibit at local schools, the library and special events.

Past and present city officials attended last week's kickoff. Vicky Leary and Ernest Dynda, members of the founding City Council when Agoura Hills incorporated in 1982, along with Jack Koenig and Darlene McBane, council members from 1985, held the commemorative "golden shovel" to be used when unearthing the time capsule.

Leary wouldn't reveal any of the time capsule's contents. "Actually I don't know what they've put in it," she said. "It seems so long ago, but I'm sure it will be interesting."

Grand Marshal Rainn Wilson from the hit television comedy, "The Office," missed the kickoff because he had been in a car accident- he's fine- but later released a statement about Reyes Adobe Days.

"We love this town," Wilson said. "Horses, hills, friendly folks . . . what's not to like?"

He will lead the mile-long Saturday morning parade on Thousand Oaks Boulevard with floats, bands, clowns, antique autos and other attractions. The parade starts at 10 a.m.

Bonanza on the Boulevard, a pre-parade circus-style event, will begin at 8:30 a.m. Vendors will be lined up along Thousand Oaks Boulevard at Forest Cove Lane, said Nick Newkirk, community services coordinator.

Following the Bonanza and the parade, residents are encouraged to attend the signature event, the Day at the Adobe. The daylong family event at the historical site will feature early California music and dance, children's games, and activities including pony rides.

Blacksmithing, rancho cooking and adobe brick-making will be demonstrated, and visitors can get a glimpse of local life in the early 19th century by touring the adobe and barn, which were built in about 1850. Agoura Hills' first residence, part of the Rancho Las Virgenes, was originally occupied by Maria Antonia Machado, a widow with 14 children.

Artists will show and sell paintings, photography, pottery and jewelry at the Art Gallery.

There is no charge for the Day at the Adobe.

Saturday's festivities are the weekend's main event, but the fun actually starts on Friday with the Fiesta at the Adobe. The fiesta is a senior luncheon complete with entertainment and tours of the site. The $8 luncheon/tour tickets must be prepurchased.

The Miss Reyes Adobe Pageant begins at 6:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 12 at the Agoura Hills/ Calabasas Community Center in Calabasas.

After the pageant, a Hay Fever Teen Dance for students in grades six through eight will be held at Agoura Hills Recreation Center, 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd., from 7 to 10 p.m. A disc jockey will be on hand to teach teens the latest dance steps. Tickets are $10 purchased in advance, $12 at the door.

Reyes Adobe Days ends on Sunday with another full slate of activities. At 8 a.m. the Women's Club will host a $5 pancake breakfast at Reyes Adobe Park.

Following breakfast, a "RAD" 5K run and Family Fun Run will begin. The 5K run costs $20 for early signup, or $25 at the event. The Family Fun Run is $15 for early registration, and $20 at the event.

The Horse Play Day and gymkhana start at 9 a.m. at Old Agoura Equestrian Center. The equestrian event is open to all ages. Admission to the gymkhana is $5, or $25 for all six competitions.

An 11 a.m. music festival will be presented at Reyes Adobe Park. The concert lineup includes reggae, blues and African bands. Latin jazz artist Pancho Sanchez will return as the featured musician. The concert is free.

"Reyes Adobe Days embodies the spirit of Agoura Hills, where we appreciate the history, look to the future, and have three days enjoying the present," said Agoura Hills Mayor Dan Kuperberg.

For further information on Reyes Adobe Days and to inquire about prepurchasing tickets, visit www.ci.agoura-hills.ca.us, or call city officials at (818) 5977361.

The Reyes Adobe Historical Site is at 5464 Reyes Adobe Road, at the corner of Rainbow Crest Drive.