2008 PiruFest set for Labor Day Weekend Attracts More Sponsors, Exhibitors and Events:
Event Planners report that Saturday, August 30th Festival continues to catch the attention for music, art, food and assortment of vendors and entertainment.
Planning and scheduling efforts for the 8th Annual PiruFest continue to take shape as this Saturday, August 30th event approaches. The day will kick off at noon and continue until 10 p.m. at the beautiful Piru Depot and Gazebo Plaza Park on Center Street in the historic downtown district. This year’s event will offer entertainment, an assortment of vendors, a horseshoe tournament, community art project and other activities that promise to be enjoyed by all ages.
The Piru Neighborhood Council, with support from private and community partners, organize this exciting annual festival. Event planners are proud to announce that other area organizations are joining to ensure this affair is a success. The Piru Petroleum Club, Lake Piru Recreation Area, Fillmore-Piru Citrus Association, Piru Parks Commission, Laverne Nursery, Rancho Temescal, Poncho’s Restaurant, Bennett’s Honey, Supervisor Kathy Long, Ventura County Redevelopment Agency, Pacific Beverage Company, and International Paper Company have come on board to support the day’s attractions.
The PiruFest 2008 Organizing Committee, chaired by Stephanie Acosta, continues to work with vendors and exhibitors to make this festival a memorable one. A just-announced exhibit and sponsorship by Lake Piru Recreation Area will include an opportunity for two lucky festivalgoers to win a half-day rental of one of their popular and brand new pontoon boats. Other exhibitors and vendors range from tasty food choices, local crafts, music, and popular clothing items. Health and nutritional representatives as well as educational resources available in the Heritage Valley will provide valuable information for sustaining a healthy community.
According to Committee Chairwoman Acosta, planning efforts are moving forward at a rapid pace as this Labor Day Weekend event nears. With this in mind, it will feature young performers from Inlakech Cultural Arts Center. These young performers are sure to bring the Piru Depot and landmark gazebo plaza to life as they gracefully dance, perform and entertain the crowd with their beautiful and rhythmic dances and music.
Later that evening, the popular Dan Torres and the Piru River Band will headline from 6-10 pm. Known for their variety of current and “oldie” tunes, Dan and his band always get the crowd on their feet and on the dance floor. They have performed in the valley for many years and have always included family, including wife Irma, their sons and other local artists. Torres and his band have a 30-year history of memorable shows, including past performances with Little Joe & La Familia among others. This year’s event will also showcase one of the band’s newest musicians. Their 10-year-old grandson, known locally as “D-3”, will join in on lively precision tunes showcasing his amazing percussion talents.
Throughout the day, a group of young students will embark on a community art project to transform a local wall from a graffiti target to a tasteful representation reflecting the area’s diverse and rich background. Students from Piru and Fillmore schools will get involved in the development and “hands-on” experience for this effort. This activity will take place along a section of the pedestrian trail that parallels the valley’s historic railroad line in Piru. Carlos Callejo, an experienced and recognized artist, will coordinate work on this project. Callejo was recently selected by the County of Ventura to develop a significant public art project along another Piru stretch of the trail.
All are invited to join in on what is sure to be a wonderful celebration of this unique and family-oriented town and its rich contributions to the region.