Mardi Gras Crestline style a full house

By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY

Senior Writer

 

The third annual Mardi Gras on the Mountain was a complete sellout, drawing over 400 participants, according to local merchant and event coordinator Michelle Hake, vice president of the Crestline Chamber of Commerce.

It may have been foggy and drizzly outdoors, but inside there was a party going on. The festive affair kicked off at 5 p.m. with a long procession of New Orleans-style jazz musicians from the Private Affair Jazz Band snaking their way through the cavernous log lodge building, tooting their trumpets, horns and saxophones through festive crowd of partygoers, many of whom donned face masks and New Orleans-style clothing draped with colorful bangles and beads. In the Fireside room, Hilary Watson and her band played music from the 50’s to modern times, to the delight of the partygoers who were dancing all night long. There was also a rockin’ DJ to fill in the breaktimes for the bands.

In addition to the music, dancing and a dozen wine, beer, food and clothing vendors, there was the amazing magic of Zac Swan, who also was the announcer for the evening’s entertainment and raffle baskets. When asked whether he ever thought about trying out for the Penn and Teller: Fool Us TV show, Swan, who performs regularly at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, said he’s trying to come up with something amazing that would fool them.

Meanwhile, under the outdoor covered patio, there was Cajun fare offered by Chicken Republic and hot coffee from Coventina Coffee Company. Ticketholders were entitled to eight beer or wine tastings and two full pours from a dozen vendors, including Sycamore Ranch Vinyard and Winery, Ten Mile Brewing, Bottle Logic Brewing, Batch Mead and Skyland Ale Works. Tracy Pierrik and Chris Haasch, both from Corona, said they liked the Ube Wan Coconut beer from Brewyard.

As the evening progressed, there was a drawing for gift baskets from community merchants and a costume contest. The masks worn by most everyone ranged from the simple to the elaborate with glitter, lace and feathers. The costumes themselves ranged from fabrics with traditional purple, green and gold Mardi Gras designs to those covered with feathers and even some with ethnic stylings from Africa, the colorful hippy era and even Lederhosen.

This was the first Corks & Hops event of the new year with the rest of the season beginning on the first Saturday of June and continuing monthly through October. The tickets are already on sale at www.corksnhops.com.