Ojai Day kicks off Saturday morning at 10:30 with a Wacky Hair and Wear Your Art parade, sponsored by Serendipity Toys, and led by parade Grand Marshal, Tom Jackson. Everybody is welcome! All interested participants should meet at the Library courtyard at 10 a.m. where they’ll be entertained by the Ojai Elementary School Band and the Community Chorus.

The parade makes its way to the Children’s Area in Libbey Park, where a variety of activities take place throughout the day, including music, magic, wildlife education, rides, slides and games, face painting, hair braiding, hula hoops, pony rides and petting zoo by Kritters 4 You.

This year’s Ojai Day poster was designed by Nordhoff graphic arts instructor Heather Farley, and she will be acknowledged at the Fountain in Libbey Park at 1:35 p.m. Heather also will have a booth in front of Libbey Park. Prior to the event, the poster is available for purchase at the Ojai Recreation Department and at Ojai Village Florist in the Arcade

California Solar Electric is sponsoring the Environmentally Green and Well Being Area on the grass at the front of Libbey Park, where a variety of green vendors and organizations will provide information on solar energy, composting demonstrations, community demonstration garden, along with chair massage and general health information. The Ojai Green Coalition will also be in the Environmentally Green area as well as having their free bike valet at the Library parking lot. A new recycling center, run by Ojai Day and kids of Ojai and Sponsored by Santa Paula Recycling will take bottles and cans and tally how visitors arrived at the event—by bike, feet or trolley.

The Market Area on North Signal Street will feature wonderful salt water taffy from Taffy Tyme, gourmet oils from Gourmet Blends, candles, herbs, soaps, and packaged foods. Along Ojai Avenue, arts and crafts vendors will display their wares—everything from handmade clothing, tie dyes, silk scarves and jewelry to art, art glass, gourd art, and soaps. A local shop, Made in Ojai, will have a booth at the intersection of Ventura Street featuring items made by local artists.

New to Ojai Day this year is the “Backstage” behind the Arcade , catering to the interests of the younger crowd, featuring a mix of entertainment and demonstrations, along with information about local schools. On the schedule is a hula hoop contest by Body Hoops, the Nordhoff High School cheerleaders and football players, an air guitar contest, a texting contest sponsored by Omega/Verizon, a community art project, a spa area, presented by the Michael Kelley Salon, with massage, hair and nail stylists, fooz ball and ping pong with the Boys and Girls Club, and skateboard demonstrations by Jim Woodz.

Sports enthusiasts can indulge at the Sports Pavilion on North Ventura Street, which will feature a basketball free throw competition by Mr. C of the Recreation Department, rock climbing, water balloon toss, Ojai Valley softball and baseball groups, football throwing contest by the Eagles Football group, and video game competitions by Game Stop.

In the Gypsy Area at the Gazebo in Libbey Park, Middle Eastern music and dance will be featured, along with belly dancers, a drum circle and hula hooping.

Throughout the day, the Demonstration area in Libbey Park will feature pumpkin carving by Bill Fox, art demonstrations, quilting demonstrations by the Ojai Quilters, and a Chumash Village presented by Julie Stensile-Tumamait, with interactive activities and storytelling. The Ojai Raptor Center will teach about rescued raptor birds in the area, and the Ojai Music Festivals BRAVO group will host a music petting zoo, where kids can hold and play musical instruments. Local non-profit organizations and municipal groups will present information on their activities, both along the walkway in Libbey Park and on North Signal Street.

Auto aficionados can check out the classic car show, going on all day on South Ventura Street, featuring local specialty cars and organized by Dwayne Bower. Dwayne also gives free educational hay rides at the corner of South Ventura Street and Topa Topa Street, featuring sing-alongs with Craig Smith. If a hay bale isn’t your style, hop on the Trolley for a free ride to and from the event.

All this Ojai Day activity is sure to make visitors hungry, so plenty of food vendors will be on hand to feed the crowds. On the menu: tri tip sandwiches from the Optimists, fresh roasted corn, hot dogs from Tom Jackson of Rescue Juice, Kettle Korn from Kernel Bob, shave ice from Caribbean Koolers, Ma Guesta Tamales, fresh squeezed lemonade, ice cream and burgers. The Ojai Lions Club sponsors the family-friendly beer garden in the parking lot of Los Coporales, open from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., and offering entertainment, food and non-alcoholic drinks along with the beer and wine.

Finally, don’t forget to drop by the old jail behind Libbey Bowl and check out this fascinating local landmark, where at 3:00 p.m. the Historic Preservation Commission will present the winner of its preservation contest.