Annual city celebration offers something for all




HOLD ON—Westlake Village resident Rachel Kelly, 12, hangs tough while riding the mechanical bull during the 8th Annual Westlake Village City Celebration at the Westlake Civic Center on Sat., Oct. 23.

HOLD ON—Westlake Village resident Rachel Kelly, 12, hangs tough while riding the mechanical bull during the 8th Annual Westlake Village City Celebration at the Westlake Civic Center on Sat., Oct. 23.

The eighth annual Westlake Village City Celebration drew 2,100 people last weekend to the Civic Center on Oak Crest Drive.

The Oct. 23 event took place in the center’s courtyard and was hosted by the city and the White Oak Elementary School Parent- Faculty Club. Festivities included dancing, magic and musical performances on a main stage and carnival games.

“It’s a great place for the family to gather and enjoy activities all day long. It’s also a really great way to do fundraising for White Oak school and the YMCA Youth in Government program,” said Mayor Mark Rutherford, who came with his wife Gay and daughter Brooke, a sophomore at Agoura High.

Several community organizations and businesses were on site to sell food and promote their goods and services, and children gathered on the Civic Center’s upper parking lot to play games and enjoy rides at the White Oak school Fun Fair.

“We come every year. It’s so much fun, and we like to support our school and the community,” said Gina Gunther, who was accompanied by her son Jared, a White Oak secondgrader.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department hosted a bicycle safety program and brought a large remote-control police car that sprays water to entertain youngsters.

Capt. Joseph Stephen and deputies from the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station greeted residents at the entrance to the city hall complex.

“Besides the nostalgia of being the liaison lieutenant here in 2006, as a captain I think it’s important to come out and socialize with the community because residents and businesses are the eyes and ears of the community,” Stephen said.

Other activities included a Twilight Run and a haunted house designed by the YMCA teen program Youth and Government.

About 200 people participated in the funrun, said Brianne Anderson, community services coordinator for Westlake Village.



GO, GO, GO—Runners take off in the twilight 5k run during the Westlake Celebration. There was a one-mile twilight fun run for the less ambitious athletes.

GO, GO, GO—Runners take off in the twilight 5k run during the Westlake Celebration. There was a one-mile twilight fun run for the less ambitious athletes.

SAFE RIDE— Westlake Village resident Connor Roche, 5, rides a bike in the County of Los Angeles Sheriffs Department bicycle safety obstacle course under the helpful eye of Dirk Twitchell of Westlake Cyclery.

SAFE RIDE— Westlake Village resident Connor Roche, 5, rides a bike in the County of Los Angeles Sheriffs Department bicycle safety obstacle course under the helpful eye of Dirk Twitchell of Westlake Cyclery.

SPIN—Newbury Park resident Makayla Morman, 10, spins around in the Orbitron ride. The day featured rides, a haunted house and live entertainment. “The Hodads” performed in the finale concert.

SPIN—Newbury Park resident Makayla Morman, 10, spins around in the Orbitron ride. The day featured rides, a haunted house and live entertainment. “The Hodads” performed in the finale concert.

IT’S MAGIC—Westlake Village resident Chris Diaz, 13, looks a bit worried as magician Allen Roy Oshiro prepares to do the sword-through-theneck routine his magic show which kicked off the day’s events.

IT’S MAGIC—Westlake Village resident Chris Diaz, 13, looks a bit worried as magician Allen Roy Oshiro prepares to do the sword-through-theneck routine his magic show which kicked off the day’s events.

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