GATOR ON A STICK, MARDI GRAS MARCH SET FOR CAJUN FETE.Byline: ERIC LEACH Staff Writer SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. -- With its Mardi Gras Mardi Gras (mär`dē grä), last day before the fasting season of Lent. It is the French name for Shrove Tuesday. Literally translated, the term means "fat Tuesday" and was so called because it represented the last opportunity for parade, zydeco zydeco (zī`dĭkō'), American musical form originating among the African-American Creoles of Louisiana. Drawing on elements of traditional Cajun music as well as jazz, country and western, and blues, it is characterized by French lyrics, music and delicacies such as alligator alligator, large aquatic reptile of the genus Alligator, in the same order as the crocodile. There are two species—a large type found in the S United States and a small type found in E China. Alligators differ from crocodiles in several ways. on a stick, the Simi Valley Cajun and Creole Music Festival has evolved into one of Southern California's more exotic Memorial Day weekend events. The event, which used to attract mostly adults, has turned into a family-oriented festival, with a new Cajun Kids area and children marching in the parade, throwing beads to spectators. This year's event at the sprawling Rancho Santa Susana Community Park is expected to attract about 17,000 people to the city next weekend. "The people of Simi Valley are proud to have an event like this recognized around the nation as one of the top Cajun music festivals," said Gary Stewart, president of the Rotary Club of Simi SIMI Sea Ice Mechanics Initiative SIMI Search for Intelligent Monkeys on the Internet SIMI Students Islamic Movement in India SIMI Society of Irish Motor Industry SIMI Smallholder Irrigation Markets Initiative Sunrise, which sponsors the event. "We have people visiting us from all over the nation, including Louisiana." The festival has raised more than $1.2 million for local charities over the years, he added. Started by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise as a one-day clambake in the early 1990s, the event's popularity exploded over the years after organizers adopted the Mardi Gras theme, turning the festival into Simi Valley's biggest charity fundraiser. Randy Greene, the festival's chairman, called the event a hometown tradition for him and thousands of others. "We'll go over the $1.3 million mark this year with charity fundraising. That's just huge," he said. "That's why I do it. I was born in Simi Valley. My passion is for my hometown." The site has grown by 40 percent compared with last year, he said, and organizers expect more than 100 vendor and crafts booths. At 7:30 a.m. Sunday, a Gator Run will be held at the park to raise money for the Ventura County Fire Department's Fallen Firefighter Memorial Fund. Festival attractions both Saturday and Sunday include the Cajun Kids area with bounce houses, climbing walls, demonstrations of Frisbee-catching by the Purina Incredible Dog Team and demonstrations of crime-solving skills by the Simi Valley Police Department's K-9 police dog unit. There is a children's arts and craft center and dance instructors will be teaching kids how to do Cajun dancing. The festival benefits a variety of organizations, including the Simi Valley Boys & Girls Club, the Ventura County Council of the Boy Scouts of America Noun 1. Boy Scouts of America - a corporation that operates through a national council that charters local councils all over the United States; the purpose is character building and citizenship training , the American Cancer Society American Cancer Society, n.pr established in 1913, this national volunteer-based health organization is committed to the elimination of cancer through prevention and treatment and to diminishing cancer suffering through advocacy, scholarship, research, , the Free Clinic of Simi Valley, the Association of Retarded Citizens, the YMCA YMCA in full Young Men's Christian Association Nonsectarian, nonpolitical Christian lay movement that aims to develop high standards of Christian character among its members. of Simi Valley, the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley, the Simi Valley Friends of the Library, the Simi Valley Senior Center and the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. eric.leach@dailynews.com (805) 583-7602 |
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