Hospice of the Conejo, Senior Concerns and Rotary’s global polio eradication project are among more than 70 charities that stand to benefit from the Thousand Oaks Street Fair, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks. “The entire club shows up to work this event because we see the good it does for the community and beyond,” said K.T. Connor, the club’s bulletin editor. “This is the 22nd year for the street fair, and it draws up to 20,000 visitors and hundreds of repeat and new vendors.” The free event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday on Moorpark Road from Hillcrest Drive to Wilbur Road. Profits from last year’s fundraiser were about $51,000, said Patricia D. Contini, event leader. “Our goal is to meet or exceed last year’s profit,” Contini said. Visitors are diverse in age and interests, Connor said. “Some stroll up and down filling one bag after another. One person may be delighted with early Christmas shopping, while another finds that special new shawl she so wanted,” Connor said. Others go to booths to learn about medical services, home improvement and nonprofits or to talk with political leaders, Connor said. “There is also great food and entertainment on two stages,” Connor said. More than 370 vendors will feature wares including cotton fabric pottery, pet pillows, wooden toys, gemstone jewelry and eco-friendly accessories made from recycled materials. Booths will showcase orthodontics, chiropractic and other specialties. Food vendors will offer frozen yogurt, Italian ice, gourmet sausages, “electric blue” lemonade, roasted corn and falafel wraps. This will be the first time Cheryl Andre-Wagner, of Andre Organic Lavender Farm in the Santa Ynez Valley, will participate in the fair. “We’ve heard that this … draws very good crowds,” Andre-Wagner said of the fair. Proceeds will benefit more than 70 charities including Community Conscience, the Conejo Botanic Garden, Mary Health of the Sick, the Westminster and Conejo free clinics, Relay for Life, the YMCA, Ride on Horsemanship and Senior Concerns. “Our long-standing policy at Senior Concerns is to never turn away anybody in need,” said Andrea Gallagher, president of the nonprofit, which is dedicated to serving all seniors, especially those who are frail and have special needs. “Many of the seniors and families we serve are low-income,” Gallagher said. “Support from … the Thousand Oaks Rotary provides vital funding that enables Senior Concerns to offer scholarships for our Adult Day and Meals on Wheels programs.” If you go What: 22nd annual Thousand Oaks Street Fair When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Where: Moorpark Road from Hillcrest Drive to Wilbur Road in Thousand Oaks Cost: Free More …
