Community Picnic lured hundreds for family fun

By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY

Senior Writer

What better way to kick-off Jamboree Days than having a free community picnic for one and all in the San Moritz Meadow on Sunday, June 30. Hundreds of children and adults swarmed the Meadow, beginning at noon, and had a blast until it ended at 5 p.m. Attendees were encouraged to bring a picnic basket chock full of sandwiches, chips and liquid refreshments (no alcoholic beverages) for the whole family to enjoy. There were also a dozen food, clothing, jewelry, woodcraft and art vendors on site.

This family-friendly event – sponsored by Optima Health Services, the Crestline Chamber of Commerce and the Lake Gregory Company – featured two bounce houses, picnic contests, games and races and free gift basket raffles. There were also free toys for kids, while supplies lasted. Attendees were encouraged to bring a blanket or portable chair to rest on while enjoying their lunch or brunch. However, the Lake Gregory Company requested that any EZ-Ups brought to the affair must not be anchored with spikes because they could damage or even rupture irrigation pipes below the surface. Many families did bring EZ-Ups and tents, as did event officials and announcers.

One of the opportunities that was not usual was for individuals to cruise around the lake in a Duffy boat for only $15 a person. Usually, the Duffy boats are for large groups of 10 to 11 riders, so individuals normally don’t get an opportunity to ride on them. There was plenty of free parking in the nearby parking lot.

At 1 p.m. the Grand Poobah was hatted. The hatting ceremony was conducted by Jennifer Jones, who organized this fund-raising event for the fireworks fund. This year, $3,121.00 was raised to help pay for the fireworks extravaganza. The contest was simple; several businesses allowed their places to become voting locations. Residents could vote for anyone they chose that has a heartbeat and lives in Crestline. After the first week or so, several candidates became front runners and people began to vote for them, at $1 a vote. Candidates could campaign and vote for themselves or their friends as many times as they want, since it is the person who raises the most money for the fireworks fund that wins. Yes, this is a contest that can be bought because this fundraiser was all about the money.

Rim of the World Sports Bar owner Cliff Herrington was named Grand Poobah for collecting $1,120 that was put into collection cans at various Crestline businesses, such as Rim Sports Bar, The Bear Claw Saloon, Encompass Antiques, Crestline Café, the San Marzano Wine and Ale Lounge, Crestline Jerky Company, Roadhouse Pizza. Mario Carbajal, from the Bear Claw Saloon, was crowned a member of the Grand Poobah’s court for collecting 1,014 nominations, while Douglas W. Motley (Uncle Mott from the Alpine Mountaineer) was also named a member of the Grand Poobah’s court for receiving 590 nominations.

Following the hatting ceremony, there were two raffles for gift baskets and gift cards for restaurants, as well as contests and races of all types, including a watermelon eating contest, potato sack race and other fun competitions. Laura Dyberg, president of the Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council, won a wine gift basket, while others won  a coffee mug set, a $20 gift certificate from Higher Grounds Coffee House and Cindy Martinez scored a $50 gift card from La Casita restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 2 p.m., a potato sack race was held, with 10-year-old Gavin Baker capturing first place in the 10- to 12-year-old category. When asked how it feels to be a winner, Gavin said, “I did this last year, but didn’t win. It feels really good to win this time.” The next potato sack race, which was for 5- to 10-year-olds, was won by Jacob Kritz, a third-grader at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School. Next, came the watermelon eating contest, which was won by 16-year-old Abraham Tiscareno.

This year’s community picnic was hailed a complete success by Event Coordinator Matt Murray from Woodlands Church, whose church members volunteered their services in announcing and setting up and dismantling all aspects of the event.

The Grand Poobah and his court will be greeting parade viewers on Saturday, July 6 from a float entered into the Jamboree Days parade.