CRESTVIEW — Crestview historian Jim Moore’s Jan. 22 and 23 impersonation of Okaloosa County founder William H. Mapoles will launch a year-long celebration of the Hub City's 100th anniversary.
Many historians enjoy researching archives and repositories. Moore does that, but he takes it beyond publishing books and articles about the people he studies.
He becomes them.
Lately, Moore has researched Mapoles, a state senator, county judge, newspaperman, champion of Crestview’s incorporation and a driving force behind its selection as Okaloosa County's seat. Mapoles guided Okaloosa's creation through the Florida Legislature and placed it before affected voters.
Moore will portray Mapoles during “Becoming the County Seat," scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 22 and 2 p.m. Jan. 23 at Warriors Hall in Crestview.
'WE'LL HAVE SOME FUN'
“As usual, in any kind of political situation, there’s always pulling and twisting and gnawing, and Jim Moore will re-enact that dramatic historic scenario,” Crestview Centennial Committee chairwoman Pat Hollarn said.
“And we want to explore why Crestview was chosen (as county seat) above other locations in the county,” Moore said. “We’ll have some fun doing it."
Laura Creighton, of Creighton Solutions, a dispute mediation consultant, is producing the program. Highlights include the Crestview Chorders dulcimer band's period music and World War I historic impersonator Stan Schneider. Judge Keith Brace will be master of ceremonies.
“It will set the early years of the county in its historic context,” Hollarn said.
BECOMING THE MAN
Moore will perform his presentation in a stage setting furnished with early 20th-century artifacts provided by the Baker Block Museum. Hollarn said the museum advises the committee with centennial celebration event planning.
For his impersonations, Moore wears historically researched costumes.
“I need to be dressed as the person I’m representing,” Moore said. “It helps me get into his skin.”
Hollarn said she hopes the presentation draws a crowd.
“This is free to the public. We certainly hope a lot of people of all ages will come see where it all began,” she said. “This celebrates the creation of Crestview as the main town in the new Okaloosa County.
“It is a good way to open our centennial year.”
What: “Crestview: Becoming the County Seat” Centennial kick-off
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 22 and 2 p.m. Jan. 23
Where: Warriors Hall, Whitehurst Municipal Building, Stillwell Boulevard at Industrial Drive, Crestview
Cost: Free
Notes: This program, the first event in the Crestview Centennial Celebration, features historic impersonators Jim Moore and Stan Schneider, and music by the Crestview Chorders. Presented by the Main Street Crestview Association and the Crestview Centennial Committee.
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MORE CENTENNIAL EVENTS
The Crestview Centennial Committee has been planning for the city’s 100th birthday for more than a year. The group will present celebration events almost monthly, with some months featuring multiple centennial events.
Centennial souvenirs and mementoes will be available for purchase at the events.
Some funding comes from the Community Redevelopment Agency, which has contracted with the Main Street Crestview Association to present several of the events. Okaloosa Gas District is the Centennial Celebration’s platinum sponsor.
NEXT MONTH:
Feb. 12: “Valentines and All That Jazz,” a concert by the Crestview High School jazz band, with catering by the CHS culinary department. 7 p.m., $10 per person, Warriors Hall, Crestview. Presented by Friends of the Arts.
Feb. 13: “Dance Through the Decades,” a gala ball, with catering by A Grand Elegance. 7 p.m., $30 single, $50 couple, at Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 544 Main St., Crestview
WANT TO GO? | MORE CENTENNIAL EVENTS
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Historic impersonations, period music launch Crestview centennial events
