Lakeport >> The night began with a parental advisory — Mr. Lake County was not for children, not with the amount of colorful language and adult content scattered throughout the annual male “pageant” put on by the Lake County Theatre Company (LCTC). But the audience didn’t mind. They laughed, cheered and enthusiastically encouraged the contestants to bare more than a little skin.
At the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport, Saturday night marked the third crowning of Mr. Lake County. In 2014, the inaugural title went to Sheriff Brian Martin. Last year, Larry Richardson took home the tool belt. And this year, the prize went to Tim Barnes, also known at “Cheese” for his talent with the pizza oven.
“It’s an honor to fill Larry’s shoes,” a nearly speechless Barnes said. His will indeed be a difficult act to follow, considering that over the past year Richardson has visited the schools to talk with children, participated in two parades and took part in the fair and more — including painting himself entirely neon green to embody the Incredible Hulk.
Mr. Lake County is a fundraiser for a permanent building for LCTC, who currently has to rent out rehearsal and performance space. The lack of a home for the company makes things fiscally difficult.
Barnes didn’t expect to win the pageant. None of the contestants did, really. They just wanted to have a good time and bring in some money for LCTC. But that doesn’t mean they didn’t bring their A game. For the evening wear portion, some men wore three-piece suits. During swimwear, banana hammocks were seen. The talent section saw singing, dancing and construction work.
Barnes called his win “humbling.”
In addition to the title of Mr. Lake County, there were five categories up for grabs, voted on by the audience. First up was the talent section, which included an Elvis Impersonation by Bryon Beck, stand up comedy by William McAuley and a performance of the Drunk Scotsman by Michael Williams. Claiming he didn’t have a talent worth sharing, Ed Borg auctioned off a carton of 18 eggs, which he kindly allowed an audience member to pelt him with. The eggs went for $250.
But it was Richard Neils who took home top prize for his talent: carpentry. Wearing slinky black spandex that showed off his legs, he built a flower box live on stage.
The contestants got creative with swimwear. Barnes, donning a mermaid tale, a bikini top and shell pasties, was pushed across stage in a wheelbarrow. The winner though, was Borg, who wore a mafia-style suit and wrapped himself up in a ball and chain. Stepping out on stage, he was met with roaring laughter.
The men took evening wear a little more seriously — or as seriously as one can take this kind of thing — and put on their best. Kaleb Sanderson took home first place for his crisp suit, hat and sunglasses.
The last category of the night was the interview portion, which the audience had the opportunity to play a large part, writing down questions on slips of paper for the contestants to answer. Queries ranged from the innocent — “What’s your favorite dessert after your favorite dessert?” — to the raunchy. Crowd favorite question went to Borg: “”Why should Donald Trump have picked you as his running mate?”
It wasn’t all levity, though. Each contestant was also asking to name their favorite Lake County Hidden Gem. William McAuley’s answer received one of the loudest, most favorable responses of the night. “Lake County has the best weirdos I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” he announced.
Chuy Lopez won the interview category, as well as Mr. Congeniality. The latter was voted on by his fellow contestants.
There was also the super-delegate winner, which was determined by the audience — they stuffed ballot boxes with $1 bills, and whoever had the most money won. Williams snagged that category.
After the other categories were announced, Barnes was crowned — or rather, he was given a tool belt with a plaque mounted to the front. Although he wasn’t preoccupied with taking home the title, he does already have some ideas about what he’ll do for the year as Mr. Lake County.
His goal is to secure a temporary building for LCTC as they continue to raise funds for a permanent home. He wants to find 200 people willing to give him $5 a month to rent out a space. At this location, in addition to rehearsals and shows, he hopes to teach classes for kids, training the next generation of performers.
“We’re striving to keep the arts alive in a rural community,” Barnes said, “and I think we took a big step tonight.”
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
