Grand Marshal Race Ends Mystery Riddle

There was no opera, but the “Conejo Phantom” made an appearance in Newbury Park on Friday night.

Wearing a mask and velvet cape, the mystery candidate for the role of grand marshal of Conejo Valley Days stumped nearly 70 onlookers for hours.

But some at the Grand Marshal Countdown, staged at the Holiday Inn, figured out the phantom was really Thousand Oaks resident Betty Norton even before the unveiling.

“A couple of people have guessed who I am, but the majority have no idea,” said Norton of the Zonta Club of the Conejo Valley, a women’s business organization. “I am not talking because if I open my mouth, everybody will recognize my voice.”

Norton had raised at least $300 during the countdown, a last-minute rush to drum up money for charity, with the winner securing the title of grand marshal.

But Harvey “Boothill” Bollinger, who raised $13,000 over five weeks, was winning hands down. As grand marshal, he will preside over next week’s festivities and lead the parade next Saturday.

By masquerading as the “Conejo Phantom,” Norton has also secured herself a spot in the parade and a place in Conejo Valley Days lore.

Until Thursday, Bollinger was the only grand marshal candidate. Some Conejo Valley Days enthusiasts had expressed concern that the traditionally competitive countdown would be less than exciting.

Hoping to enliven the race, Norton said she and a few other club members came up with the idea of the Conejo Phantom and began spreading the word that a “mystery candidate” would be challenging Bollinger.

But their enigmatic approach upset some Conejo Valley Days supporters who feared a spoiler had entered the race.

“Oh no,” said Norton. “It was all in good fun.”