Watermelon rind

All that’s left from the Watermelon Festival  is the rind…and lots of good memories, of course. The Good Lord even sent a deluge Saturday evening and washed up the leftover smushed candy down the parade route in downtown Farmerville.

Besides the parade, street dance, seed spitting contest and activities like a bass tournament in the rain, it was a big weekend. Thanks to the Farmerville Jaycees and everyone else who had a hand in putting this event on.  I did not ride the camels (sigh of relief from the camels). I did catch a curve ball from Ben Jones, one of the talented baby beach ball hurlers on the MSB float! And the parade participants were awesome with their generosity. We caught enough candy to keep my favorite teacher’s treat jar filled the entire upcoming school year.  There was even a special birthday Saturday that pretty much flew under the radar for most folks.

For starters, there was a bass tournament.  The Watermelon Festival Bass Tournament went off as scheduled despite the rain. Of the 27 teams entered 3 caught 20 pound stringers. Nick Young and Waylan Wheelis had the big bass at 6.65 pounds that anchored their third place stringer of 20.33. Dennis Lannan and Jerry Pate were second with 20.66 pounds. Terry Alvis and Randy Wall took first with 20.90 pounds. Report by Dale Taylor.

If you missed the post-festival weather, here’s a glance across the lake captured by reader Dan Preaus…Wowzers...

Yep, I wasn’t wishin’ I was a fishin’ for sure!

Here are a few photos to commemorate the events:

And finally, what a day to celebrate a birthday. After the parade, we went to Mamoo’s Watermelon Festival brunch. Oh my…all kinds of omelets, shrimp and grits, bacon, sausage, ham, biscuits and sausage gravy, hashbrowns, boudin stuffed pork roast and lots more…Followed by a good Saturday afternoon nap and a big Saturday night fish dinner with all the family at the 50’s Diner followed by a big corner piece of Bernie’s Ding Dong cake.

And thanks to my family for helping me celebrate!

For all the news about the Festival (minus the exclusive birthday coverage), check out these Facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/thefgazette/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/fjaycees/?fref=ts