THE RIDES—A view of the grounds at last year’s Simi Valley Days The annual Simi Valley Days festival kicks off Wednesday, and this year event organizers are putting a tropical twist on the city’s old-fashioned western fair.

Simi Valley Days was borne out of the community festival Pioneer Days, which began in 1933. While the event’s roots date back 76 years, this is the 25th consecutive year of the Simi Valley Days carnival.

The fair also serves as an early birthday celebration for the city, which was incorporated Oct. 10, 1969.

While the festival has in the past held on to its Old West traditions, organizers decided to switch things up to reflect the event’s new location. This will be the second year the festival will be held at Rancho Simi Community Park—commonly referred to as Duck Park—located at 1765 Royal Avenue.

The large, grassy park provides space for more and bigger carnival rides than the old site at Madera Road and Los Angeles Avenue. Also, the dustfree environment is more family-friendly, said Simi Valley Days Chair Gordon Voshall.

To fit the relaxing setting, the event committee chose “Tropical Carnivale” as this year’s theme.

“We were just trying to come up with something a little more refreshing,” Voshall said. “The atmosphere (at the park) was so much better, we were trying to get something not so rugged and western sounding.”

He said the move to Duck Park allowed Simi families to take advantage of the park’s shady trees, picnic pavilions and playgrounds.

“What a difference,” he said. “You see families actually enjoying themselves. I’ve never seen that many people having that good a time as they did last year.”

While the theme is new, the festival itself is largely unchanged. Fairgoers can play Kowchip Bingo, participate in picnic games, ride the Ferris wheel, visit the petting zoo and peruse Merchant Alley. Though the weakened economy has resulted in fewer vendors than in previous years, more than 40 merchants will be hawking their goods.

New this year on opening night is a karaoke contest on the main stage. The singing competition is open to all ages, and winners will be awarded cash prizes. The main stage will also feature live entertainment by local and touring bands, with music ranging from contemporary rock to Cajun and Zydeco. All of the acts are new to the fair this year.

Headlining the festival’s concert roster is the 50th Anniversary Old Time Rock & Roll Show—A Tribute to Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper, which will perform Saturday night. Opa Opa, a 12-piece salsa band with a horn section, will close out the carnival on Sunday.

On Saturday morning, the Simi Valley Days parade will march down Los Angeles Avenue beginning at 9 a.m. Cars, floats, bands, community groups, equestrian troops and military units will all make their way down the parade route, which starts at Erringer Road.

“We’re going to have a large equestrian group. We’ll have close to 100 horses this year,” parade chair Rob Noorigian said. “It’s going to be a great hometown parade.”

Ruth Jacob was chosen to be the parade’s Grand Marshal. A longtime Simi resident, Jacob is an active volunteer in the community as a member of the Simi Valley Kiwanis Club and the Simi Valley Historical Society board of directors.

She is also the wife of Bob Jacob, the late Simi Valley High School principal for whom the school’s stadium is named.

Noorigian said he’s still in need of large convertible vehicles and drivers to transport dignitaries taking part in the parade. He’s also looking for two more community members to judge parade entries.

Those interested in volunteering or lending their cars can email him at rob@noorigians.com or at parade@simivalleydays.org.

Even after working as a parade volunteer for 17 years, Noorigian said he still gets excited on the day of the event.

“Seeing all of those kids and getting them started off on the parade route . . . just being a part of something I think is very worthwhile and a very wholesome, fun activity for kids—that’s my motivation right there,” he said.

Voshall agrees. This is his fifth year serving as the festival chair, and while he admitted it’s a big job organizing the five-day event, he said it’s all worth it when he sees the smiling faces of local families.

“It’s nice seeing the community come out and enjoy something that you worked hard to put on,” he said.

Simi Valley Days begins Wed., Sept. 9 and runs through Sun., Sept. 13.

Admission to the festival is $6 for adults, $3 for children 4 to 12 and senior citizens 60 and older, and free for children 3 and under. Carnival ride tickets are an additional cost.

Visit www.simivalleydays.org. for the full entertainment schedule.