Downtown Crestline will come alive as Jamboree Days 2023 ushers in the Fourth of July weekend on Saturday, July 1. The community expects to welcome thousands of spectators during the celebration.

The Crestline Chamber of Commerce has been busily working on plans for the celebratory parade, a beer garden, a family fun zone and fireworks over Lake Gregory on Saturday evening. Due to the Fourth of July falling on Tuesday, the Meadow at the south end of Lake Gregory will host a free community picnic on Monday, July 3.

“During Jamboree Days 2023, we remember the strength that emerged in adversity and our shared ability to overcome it,” said Michelle Hake, president of the Crestline Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber invites all our mountain neighbors to join us in this celebration of resilience and community.”

The Jamboree Days parade begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, threading its customary route through Crestline from Crest Forest Drive in Top Town down Fern Drive and merging onto Lake Drive before ending at Lake Gregory Drive. In 2023, the Chamber has chosen the theme “Mountain Strong” to celebrate the resilience of our mountain communities in the wake of this year’s devastating winter storms.

“So many people volunteered selflessly and tirelessly to help each other earlier this year,” noted Dirk Rinker, chair of the Chamber’s Jamboree Days committee. “During the winter storms, hundreds and hundreds of people helped the community survive. That’s why the Chamber chose ‘The Unsung Hero’ as our grand marshal this year. It didn’t seem right to single out any one person.”

Jamboree Days festivities continue after the parade ends with swimming and boating at the lake, a family fun zone next to the skate park, and dining and browsing in downtown Crestline.

The Chamber will host a beer garden in the parking lot of Arrowhead Credit Union from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Classic rock bands will provide the tunes as local vineyards and breweries pour a variety of the Southland’s favorite fine wines and craft beers. Food vendors will set up and serve up tasty treats both at the beer garden and near the fun zone.Lake Gregory will close at 5:00 p.m., freshen the beaches and reopen for free to the public at 6:00 p.m. Visitors may picnic at the lakeside and watch the fireworks show at 9:00 p.m. The Lake Gregory Company again plans to offer VIP tickets for fireworks viewing on its elevated lakeside patio.

On Monday, July 3, the Chamber and area churches will host a free community picnic at the Meadow at San Moritz Lodge. Family-friendly activities include picnicking, free and paid food options, bounce houses, gunny-sack and three-legged races, watermelon-eating contests, cornhole, face-painting, balloon animals and craft vendors. All parking and activities are free to the public except for voluntary purchases.

More information about the weekend and entering the parade is available at JamboreeDays.com.

Jamboree Days calendar of events

Saturday, July 1

10:00 a.m. Jamboree Days parade, Crestline

11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Beer garden, Arrowhead Credit Union

11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Family fun zone, Forest Shade Road

6:00 p.m. Lake Gregory beach opens free to the public

9:00 p.m. Fireworks show over Lake Gregory

Monday, July 3

11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Jamboree Days community picnic, the Meadow at San Moritz Lodge, Crestline