citations & references:

• His duties included escorting the Empress to various functions over 15 years before the election of the first Rose Emperor. 

• At some point between 1975-1980, (which I have been unable to establish definitively) the title of Groovy Guy was deemed "out of date and/or unsophisticated" and the title was changed to Mr. Gay Oregon. Time marched on and Mr. Gay Oregon continued to be elected at the Forum Picnics. 

• Gay Oregon History (rosecourt.org) 

  In the late '60s, a "Groovy Guy" was more to the city of Portland than just another flower child. He was a well-built gay man elected at the Portland Forum's annual All-City Picnic to represent the Gay community. 

  These picnics, held at various parks including Wildwood at the base of Mt. Hood, Sauvies Island outside of St. Helens, Rooster Rock in the Columbia Gorge, and the Paizzano Club on the edge of Gresham, [*Question is the name of the club misspelled? Per the website: https://clubpaesano.org/ The only club that had acres was this: Club Paesano is a non-profit 501 (c) 7 organization. It was created for the social and recreational benefits of its members and to thereby encourage and develop a spirit of comradeship, friendship, and community service. 

  In years gone past. . . the Gardeners and Ranchers Association, who were primarily Italian produce dealers and farmers in the Portland area, held an annual picnic. They decided in early 1955 to terminate the picnic. 

  This didn’t sit well for a group of second generations of Italians. They wanted to continue this annual affair, so they gathered a group of interested individuals, and each contributed $20 towards expenses to continue a picnic on the first Sunday in August. Cedarville Park was rented for $25. The picnic was successful. 

  Due to interest, it was decided to organize “Club Paesano.” It was incorporated in the state of Oregon on September 14, 1955. 

  Since Club Paesano had rented the park in the past, they were contacted and advised of the proposed sale. In September 1975, members of Club Paesano decided to purchase the property. The property was incorporated as a Club Paesano/Cedarville Park and monies were acquired from the sale of shares to those interested members. One would need to be a member of Club Paesano in order to purchase shares. 

  Members are proud of Cedarville Park and our rustic lodge. Located just minutes from Portland on a beautifully grassed 11-acre private park with cedar, fir, maple, and alder trees. The “Home of Club Paesano.”] were glorious affairs attended by the who's who of the gay community? 

  Silver and crystal-adorned many of the tables while tunes of the times played out over the borrowed sound system. For a nominal fee, participants could enjoy an all-day feast and froth, while playing amidst some of Oregon’s finest scenery. The community bars and beer vendors supplied food, beer, and wine and the bar owners themselves pitched in to cook and serve up a bountiful banquet. This party was said to have been a "labor of love" with everyone pitching in to ensure its success. 

  Contestants for the title of "Groovy Guy" would purchase a ticket and were allowed to walk the stage, either modeling, performing, and/or posing for the crowd. Some years, winners were chosen by audience appeal, other times winners were chosen by a panel of judges. In all cases, they were chosen based on good looks and sex appeal. Simply put, this was a beefcake pageant!!! 

  1969 brought to bear the first Groovy Guy, Richard Calhoun. Blonde and bronzed, this magnificent beauty was the epitome of the buffed gay male in the late 60s. Each successive pageant brought forth another "studly" specimen to represent the community as Groovy Guy. The Groovy Guy of the late 60s and early 70s was the forerunner to the Emperor and proved to be the predecessor to the Mr. Gay Oregon we know today.