By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
The Crestline Chamber of Commerce is now focused on making their Feb. 14 “Mardi Gras on the Mountain” celebration the best one yet. It will be held inside the San Moritz Lodge this year on Valentine’s Day, giving every one the opportunity to bring their Valentine to the biggest party of the season in Crestline.
On this Valentine’s Day, fall in love “Mardi Gras style” at Crestline’s Mardi Gras on the Mountain, where romance meets rhythm and the good times roll, at the first of the year’s Corks & Hops beer and wine tasting events with 10 vendors.
Enjoy a Mardi Gras-themed soirée with unique tastings from SoCal craft breweries and wineries, live music, New Orleans fare from pop-up food vendors all under the roof of the gorgeous San Moritz Lodge from 5 to 9 p.m. Check-in ends at 7 p.m. so don’t be late.

Last year’s Mardi Gras on the Mountain costume winners. (File photos)
Costumes are truly encouraged, and there will be costume contest. Last year’s winners really captured the full Mardi Gras look and New Orleans image, which truly added to the festivities. Encouraged costume styles might include purples, greens, beads and feathers, which will be seen everywhere throughout the rooms of the lodge, so come and enjoy. There were ladies in feathers and lace, men in masks and tie dye, even local San Moritz-style yodelers in lederhosen at last year’s event.
The events the last three years were totally sold out in advance so buy your tickets early. The chamber has offered a special Sweetheart’s Valentine’s Day package until Jan. 15, to make the night even more romantic.
The Sweetheart Package is only an additional $39 and includes two chocolate-covered strawberries and two rose boutonnieres. Tickets are available now at www.corksnhops.com.
During the Mardi Gras party there will be two great bands playing for your dancing and musical entertainment – the Little Bear Valley Blues Band and the Shannon Bizzy Band.
What is a Mardi Gras without fun opportunities? There will be a photo booth and other booths, games, raffles – exciting fun for adults of all ages, as no one under 21 will be admitted. There will be 10 tasting stations of beers and wines, sponsored by the breweries and wineries, to give the attendees a wide variety of tastes. This party event has been compared by New Orleans natives to their back home Mardi Gras festivities and “just as fun!”
The Crestline chamber volunteers are already actively involved getting their Mardi Gras decorations together at the office. The chamber is currently signing up more volunteers on their website to help with setting up and taking down the decorations. Last year’s decorations were spectacular and they have bought additional items for this year’s excitement.
After Mardi Gras on the Mountain, the Crestline Corks & Hops will continue as an out of doors festival along Lake Drive beginning in June, when the weather gets warmer. Season tickets to Crestline’s Corks & Hops events (June through October) or individual months can be purchased at www.corksnhops.com. or see their websites at www.visitcrestline.org or www.CrestlineChamber.org or email them for additional information at info@crestlinechamber.org The Crestline Chamber of Commerce office is located at 24385 Lake Drive on the north shore of Lake Gregory. The visitors center is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Their phone is (909) 338-2706.
Crestline Chamber of Commerce membership is open to all locally operating businesses, short-term rental owners and community members because “united we make our community stronger and more prosperous,” says Crestline Chamber President Louis Boehle. “Come to our Mardi Gras on the Mountain this Valentine’s Day and enjoy the biggest party on the mountain.”









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