IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers GOOD TIMES- Tim Atwood, 13, slips down the slide with style on the opening night of last September's Simi Valley Days carnival. The 2008 Simi Valley Days Carnival will take place in September at its new location at Rancho Simi Community Park on 1765 Royal Avenue, event coordinators announced this week.

The carnival, scheduled for Sept. 10 to 14, formerly took place on a vacant lot at the corner of Los Angeles Avenue and Madera Road- a property recently approved for residential development.

Zane Widdes, president of the Simi Valley Days Foundation, said the move will provide a better site with a layout that is more conducive to family recreation.

"We're very excited," Widdes said. "It's a beautiful setting for this annual family event celebrating the city's birth, where the entire community can come out and enjoy themselves."

The move was the result of several years of joint efforts by the Simi Valley Days Foundation, the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, and the City Council to secure a permanent location for the annual event.

While park officials have approved the move for this year only, park district general manager Larry Peterson said they will likely consider it again for the following year.

"The (park) board approved it for one time only with the idea that it would be looked at again if it makes sense," Peterson said. "The pros and cons will be evaluated again after the event has occurred there and next year, another decision will have to be made."

Widdes said the foundation is currently working out a site plan that will include all the elements of previous carnivals- rides, live music, Cowchip bingo and the merchants area with arts and crafts. The route for the Simi Valley Days Parade will stay the same, he said.