By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
In the second to last meeting of the Crestline Chamber of Commerce for 2024, chamber President Louis Boehle had many good pieces of news and information about upcoming events and one piece of disappointment.
The great news was that the October Corks & Hops event on Oct. 5 was very successful, with the highest attendance of the season, even after it being canceled in September due to the Line Fire. It was canceled out of respect for the performers and not wanting to attract visitors up the mountain during an active fire threatening the area. The October Corks & Hops had excellent weather, many day-of-event purchases; some attendees used their September tickets to attend. It was a great way to end the summer season.
The Mardi Gras Corks & Hops will take place inside the San Moritz Lodge on March 1 from 5 to 9 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to come in Mardi Gras costumes. Advance tickets are now on sale for $45 until January 1, 2025, on their website: corksnhops.com. Day-of-event tickets, if not sold out, as in previous years, will be $65. The dates for next year Corks & Hops were announced as the first Saturday of each month beginning in May, weather permitting.
Next on the October calendar is the annual Trick or Treat the Merchants, which is always held from 2 to 5 p.m. the Saturday before Halloween, this year on Saturday, Oct. 26. Each participating merchant will have an orange poster in their store window saying they are participating. Parents should bring their costumed kids to the Top Town business district or to the Lake Gregory Village area and visit the merchants to get Halloween candy. Parents also often dress up, making it even more fun that afternoon.
The Top Town Fall Festival will be on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. Crest Forest Drive west of Highway 138 will be closed for the afternoon, setting up a stage for a band, allowing pedestrians freedom to walk around and draw in chalk on the street and vendors to set up booths. There will be food, drink, music, crafts and bounce houses. They invite everyone to attend this free event in Top Town. They are still seeking businesses that want to be sponsors and get their advertising out into the community.
The community Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 28, although not a chamber-sponsored event, is seeking volunteers to help present this free full Thanksgiving dinner for everyone. Young couples, young families, older couples and singles who do not want to cook a complete turkey dinner may come to the San Moritz Lodge from noon to 4 p.m. and enjoy a free Thanksgiving Day meal with all the trimmings, with their neighbors and friends.
The Goodwin’s Family Christmas at the north shore parking lot of Lake Gregory will be on Monday, Dec. 2, with a bonfire in the parking lot. Santa will arrive on a fire truck, and every young child who talks with Santa will get a small toy. Later, just after sunset, the Crestline Christmas tree at Lake Gregory will be lit, after a countdown from the north shore patio. More details will be announced on this event as the date gets closer.
Dann Lahr, president of the Crestline Lions Club, announced their firewood raffle is going strong. For a $1 ticket you could win two cords of delivered wood, one for yourself and one to give to a friend. The drawing will be held on Thanksgiving Day during the community dinner at the San Moritz Lodge. The winner will be notified by email or by phone.
The chamber is in the midst of their annual election of officers. If a chamber member wishes to run for the board of directors, they need to be a member for over six months and have been active in one or more events. Those who want to be on the board need to contact the chamber office or Mike Johnstone before Oct. 31 and let them know of their intentions to volunteer their time to the chamber. The candidates will be approved by the board and put on the ballot and names announced at the November chamber meeting. The ballots will be emailed out to chamber members and must be returned between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1.
For more information about chamber events, visit their office at 24385 Lake Drive on the north shore of Lake Gregory, call (909)338-2706 during business hours, see their website www.Crestlinechamber.org or email them at Info@CrestlineChamber.org.
0 Comments