By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
The Crestline Jamboree Days committee had its first meeting because inviting 10,000 folks to come visit their small mountain town for a variety of events over the holiday weekend takes much preparation and planning and many volunteers. Starting the planning in January is wise for hosting a smooth-running event. Fortunately, Dirk Rinker who has headed the committee twice in the past, will again be helping to coordinate many of the events for that weekend.
Many initial big decisions were made at this first get-together attended by about a dozen mountain residents; however, the weekend needs many more to step up and help. Some were returning volunteers and others were first-timers who were curious about all the details that need to be addressed and the variety of things to be done to get so much excitement jammed into one weekend.
The committee will be meeting on second and fourth Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the chamber of commerce office at 24385 Lake Drive on the north shore of Lake Gregory in Crestline. They invite more community members to be involved. Being involved can be so exciting, and it is fun knowing you are a part of such a fabulous community event!
The committee’s first action was to confirm the dates of the event. Jamboree Days events will occur this year on Saturday, July 5 and Sunday July 6. The parade will kick off the festivities at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with an all-day-long festival with vendor booths and bounce houses for the kids in Lake Gregory village area, along Lake Drive. Then, that Saturday evening at 9 p.m. should be the annual fireworks show over Lake Gregory, assuming enough money is raised to pay for them. The fundraising events and activities required to fund the fireworks were not discussed in this first meeting but will be a detail for a committee to work on at the next meeting.
Crestline Citizen of the Year Jerry Renfro in last year’s Jamboree Days parade.
The annual community picnic still needs to be addressed with the date, the location and the creation of a picnic sub-committee, which will choose the location and activities. They will look at the last few years and the successful activities and locations and, in discussions with the Lake Gregory Company, plan the event.
The most important issue before this first meeting was suggesting themes for the 2025 Jamboree Days. After much brainstorming, with over a dozen themes suggested, discussed and kicked around, the suggestions were narrowed down to two possibilities. At their next meeting one of those themes will be chosen and announced unless a better one is suggested before then.
The parade route will probably be the same and announcers for the parade have to be chosen; there are 10 announcing locations along the traditional parade route. The chamber is seeking to borrow some sound equipment for the announcers to use.
During that Saturday, July 5 afternoon, there will be numerous musical locations for bands that want to perform so the music committee will be seeking a variety of performers for the afternoon of fun.
They will soon be seeking vendors and local nonprofits for the afternoon festivities; the process for becoming a Jamboree Days vendor and who is in charge of their applications and locations will be decided. Last year the kiddie zone was in front of the Rim Bowling Center; the question is whether that was a good location.
The Saturday evening fireworks will be coordinated with the Lake Gregory Company, as the fireworks will be shot off over the lake. It is a spectacular location for the fireworks, with them reflecting on the lake, and the show is visible from most locations around the lakeshore for free. They hope to continue that tradition. The question for the committee will be whether any activities or entertainment take place before the fireworks, either on the lake or on the beach. They invite those from the community with ideas to let the chamber office know or join their committee, as all community members are welcome to be involved.
It is assumed by the committee that Lake Arrowhead will be shooting off their fireworks on Friday, July 4, with concerts during the weekend evenings, so no major conflict will exist between the two communities and there will be something for the many expected visitors to the mountain that weekend to do every day.
It is anticipated it will be a happy 4th of July weekend, celebrating our nation’s 249th birthday.
0 Comments