Celebrating the Mighty Pine Cone

By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Editor

 

It was a clear, crisp day – the perfect day for the Pine Cone Festival. As guests arrived, they parked at Snow Valley and then took a Mountain Transit shuttle across the street to Rim Nordic.

The Mountain Fifes & Drums kicked off the festival by parading into the stage area. A Boy Scout color guard posted the colors and led the pledge of allegiance, after which the Fifes & Drums played the national anthem.

Festival coordinator Laura Dyberg called the first responders in attendance to the stage as this year’s festival was being held in their honor. “Let’s do our part,” Dyberg said. “When it comes to wildfire, we create the defense, they provide the offense.” She shared a resolution declaring Oct. 28 as First Responder Day in California.

As the Little Bear Valley Blues Band played, guests visited the various booths offered by local organizations and vendors ranging from specialty teas to handcrafted hats and animals, jewelry to soap made by children at a Mexican orphanage. There was face painting and even an opportunity to prospect for gold.

The Pine Cone Olympics were manned by members of the Rim of the World High School marching band. Guests were given one free opportunity to compete in shot put, hoop toss and archery, with additional opportunities available for purchase. Those proceeds went to the band. Adjacent to the Olympic events was Camp Cheekers where children could complete several different crafts.

New this year at the Pine Cone Festival was a dog parade and costume contest. Four dogs were dressed as first responders and vied for medals. First place went to Oso, a Saint Bernard ready to perform a search and rescue. Chase, who has been to 18 national parks, took second. Third went to Ziggy, dressed as a police officer. Little Finneas Maximus, a junior park ranger, was the runner up.

The moment everyone was waiting for arrived – who found the longest sugar pine cone and the heaviest Coulter pine cone? The weighing and measuring was done by the Inland Empire Resources Conservation District. Coming in at 18.4 inches was the sugar pine cone found by Darlene Coriy. And Lori Beaver found the heaviest Coulter pine cone, which weighed 4 pounds 9 ounces. The records set at previous festivals still stand.

The music continued with The Memory Makers – vocalist Rachel Murray and pianist TJ Roger – taking the stage. They created a playlist of some of their favorite songs, which could be heard throughout the festival.

Church of the Woods sponsored a craft table where folks could use their imaginations and the provided materials to make pine cone creations.

In the adult craft contest, sponsored by First Foundation Bank, first place went to Dawn Guckin (wreath), second to Elaine Calderon (sledding) and third to Rosie Bradford (cornucopia).

In the teen contest, first place was won by Jasie Noe (dog), second by Victoria Bramblia (turkey) and third by Kimberly Byier (green cone). Sophie Soto (snowman) took first place in the child’s contest, June Noe (dog) took second and Aria Duong (green sticks) took third.

This year’s winner of the Pine Cone Brigade was Cal Fire; they won a special Pine Cone Brigade trophy.

Mark your calendars for the first Saturday in October next year – this family-friendly event is not to be missed!