On a somewhat dreary and dismal morning, I hoped for the best as Moorpark Country Days began last Saturday. Once again, our city motto of "Life can be this good" held true.

The parade and street fair were remarkable. There were more booths than I could count and a parade that was entertaining and eventful.

It was great to see so many adults and children participate in this community event, but it does not happen overnight. It takes a tremendous amount of effort and energy to make it all come together.

I know that there are far too many people to thank individually, but I would like you to know about some of the key groups who stepped up to make our 25th anniversary celebration happen.

Thank you very much to the Chamber of Commerce for organizing the street fair; the Moorpark Rotary Club for organizing the parade; the Moorpark Police Department, including the Explorers and the Citizen Volunteers, for providing traffic control and security; the chauffeurs who drove many of us in the parade; and all of the staff from the city of Moorpark who assisted throughout the day. They volunteered at the High Street Arts Center and at the street fair, assisted the marching bands at City Hall, and even re-routed the southbound traffic on Moorpark Road so that the residents on Charles Street would not be inconvenienced with losing their parking for a day.

We also owe a big thank you to all of the vendors, food booths, musicians, entertainers and Moorpark residents and businesses who made this day special.

It may have rained on our parade a little bit, but it did not stop us from having a terrific and memorable time.

I am already looking forward to Country Days 2009. Mark Van Dam Moorpark Van Dam is a Moorpark City Council member.