By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY – Staff Writer

At the June 23 Friday Night Market at Lake Gregory, the long-awaited announcement of the results of the Grand Poobah election was received with cheers. More than $4,200 was raised by the electors.

The “hatting ceremony” of Gretchen Davis as Grand Poobah and her Poobah Court of Patti Derleth and longtime community member Duffy occurred in front of the stage. Each winner got the choice of his or her hat, which had been created by Grand Poobah organizer Jennifer Jones.

Two children who had been nominated – Maci MacIntosh and Noah Bard – were announced as “Poobahs in Training.” They may be attending some ribbon cuttings along with or in place of the Grand Poobah at various events this year, representing Jamboree Days.

The Grand Poobah election was developed last year by Gunnar Jorgensen as a method to raise funds to pay for the free fireworks show over Lake Gregory during Jamboree Days. Voting at $1 per vote occurred at local businesses, restaurants and bars.

After this winter’s blizzard and the collapse of Jorgensen’s retail establishment, Akasha Healing Center, Jennifer Jones took over the contest this year as residents expressed a desire to again buy an election, as proved by the last-minute influx of votes, especially after the chamber’s Duck Derby, which was previously the main fireworks fundraiser, could not be held due to the weather conditions.

This year, some of the candidates campaigned for the honor and encouraged voting as it was for a good cause for the fireworks. Also added this year is a banner to be placed at the business location which raised the most money to designate it as the “Home of the Grand Poobah.” The winner of that honor has been earned by the Bear Claw Saloon. This year, it is anticipated the Grand Poobah will make guest appearances at various community events, as they did last year.

The contest began in May, collecting the nominations over a three-week period, with the only requirements being that the candidate must have a heartbeat and live in Crestline. There were 22 candidates and 12 voting locations. The voting took place until June 21. There was a running counting of the votes as the election continued, with announcements of the results of the voting at the end of each week; the results changed weekly as various candidates asked their supporters to vote multiple times, which was encouraged. It was an election described as “For the people, by the people.” Over $4,270 was raised for the fireworks fund. Gretchen raised over $2,000, while Patti and Duffy each raised over $500 each.

During the Jamboree Days parade, last year’s Grand Poobah, Ty Holifield, will come out to greet the 2023 Grand Poobah Gretchen Davis, who will be riding on the Rim Rec & Park’s float as it passes the San Marzano Brewery at the corner of Fern and Lake Drives. Last year’s Grand Poobah and the members of the Poobah court, Terragon the Goat and Andrew Braggins, attended numerous events last year.

The Jamboree Days parade will be held Saturday, July 1, starting at 10 a.m. in Top Town Crestline, then traveling east across Crest Forest Drive to Fern Drive, continuing onto Lake Drive and end at Lake Gregory. The Jamboree Days theme this year is “Mountain Strong” and the grand marshal is honoring the “Unsung Heroes” inspired by the hundreds of residents who offered life-saving neighbor-to-neighbor help during last winter’s blizzard. The parade has over 67 entries with Star War characters, heroes from the blizzard, floats competing for trophies, classic cars and the Citizen of the Year. The day will be filled with a Fun Zone and vendor booths, live music and a beer garden, followed by the free fireworks show at 9 p.m. over Lake Gregory. Monday will be the free Jamboree Days community picnic with relay games, contests and bounce houses at the San Moritz meadow.