This coming Saturday, September 5th offers great family fun at the 9th Annual PiruFest, in historic downtown Piru at the Piru Depot and Gazebo Plaza Park. Activities for this Labor Day Weekend festival begin at 3:00 pm and continue until 10 pm. Registration for the horseshoe tournament will start at noon with play set for 2:00 pm. The Depot and park are located on Center Street in the downtown district.

The Piru Neighborhood Council (PNC) and Rancho Temescal are sponsors for this annual event and joined this year by MAD Youth, (Making A Difference). MAD Youth are organizing a variety of games for all ages, including the good old fashioned Dunking Booth featuring local community and regional leaders as “dunkees”. Local arts and crafts vendors continue to sign up to offer unique jewelry and other specialty items, as well as information on upcoming health and community events, such as Relay for Life and Ramona Days at Ranch Camulos. Food vendors have also signed on to feature their treats. Food vendors will offer treats from Piru restaurants and shops as well as specialty items such as tamales, bar-b-q pit sandwiches, soft drinks, corn on the cob, hot dogs and more. Handmade quilts, jewelry, and other gift items will be available from a variety of vendors.

Always a hit with the locals and friends, the popular Horseshoe Tournament returns under the skills of Rusty Ortega. Organizers set up the pits in this downtown park to make this activity a center point of this daylong festival. This competition is an annual tradition among the town’s “ringers”. Contact Rusty at 805- 432-6388 to sign up or help organize.

Finally, music fans can enjoy local DJ-DB who will be spinning discs during early hours and then Dan Torres and the Piru River Band will be the featured headliner for the day’s entertainment. 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. The stage area at the depot and gazebo plaza also offers plenty of room to join in the celebration.

More events are being planned so make sure your Labor Day holiday weekend plans include a visit to this fun town and join in what promises to be another successful celebration. For more details or sign up as a vendor, go to the website: pirupress.com or call Chacha Troyke at 805-521-0527.