Four candidates are vying to win the Conejo Valley Days Grand Marshal race with food-oriented fundraisers for their favorite charities.

"It's going to be a real race in both the adult and youth categories," said Ken Walker, executive committee member for the event. "We're excited about their reach into our communities with the causes they've picked."

This year's theme is Come Along With Me to CVD. The celebration is planned April 30-May 4.

Almost two-thirds of the proceeds are earmarked for the charities of the candidates' choice, with the rest funneled to the sponsor, Conejo Valley Days organization.

Most of the events require that contributors present fliers, which may be printed from the event Web site, http://www.conejovalleydays.org.

The adult candidates are Marlon "Lone Star" Williams, a special education assistant and 30-year resident of the area, and "Whiskaroo Rick" Herrera, a retired teacher and owner of a landscape company.

Williams is raising money for the Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning's Adopt a Future Program. Herrera is raising money for the Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks and Hospice of the Conejo.

Competing for the youth title are "Chuckwagon" Kyle Ruda, a Newbury Park High School ninth-grader, and "Rustlin' Jeremy" Ryan, a freshman at Westlake High.

Ruda is raising money for Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times and Ryan for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County.

Herrera's fundraisers:

- Friday, 6 to 9 p.m., auction benefit, Dave Biedebach's home in Westlake Village, 3089 Grandoaks Drive. Reservations, $20, to Mike Mathews, 390-3104.

- Sunday, 8:30 a.m., Poker Run with Red Line Corvette Club, and burgers at Elks Lodge, noon to 1 p.m., $5. For details call 495-1688.

- April 26, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., carwash at Thousand Oaks High School, $5.

Williams' fundraisers:

- Today, 5 to 10 p.m. , Claim Jumper Restaurant, 2150 Thousand Oaks Blvd., in The Lakes shopping center.

- Today, 5 to 10 p.m., Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, in the The Lakes center.

- Tuesday, 5 to 10 p.m., Baja Fresh Restaurant, 595 N. Moorpark Road.

- Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., barbecue fundraiser, Thousand Oaks Community Park, 2323 N. Moorpark Road, $10.

- April 21, all day, California Pizza Kitchen and Ben & Jerry's.

- April 22, all day, Fuddruckers Restaurant.

- April 23, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Stuft Pizza.

Ruda's fundraisers:

- Tuesday and Wednesday, all day, Nick & Willy's Pizza Dough-raiser, 1015 Broadbeck Lane, Newbury Park.

- Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Johnny Rockets Restaurant, 322 W. Hillcrest Drive.

- Saturday, 7 to 11 a.m., garage sale at 7 San Antonio St., Newbury Park.

Ryan's fundraisers:

- Wednesday, 5 to 10 p.m., Baja Fresh, 595 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.

- Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fit2bThai Restaurant, 593 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.

- April 23, 5 to 10 p.m., Applebee's, Thousand Oaks and Westlake boulevards.

- April 24, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fit2beThai Restaurant.