It's now official: The 69th annual Hampton County Watermelon Festival is off to a crazy, but fun-filled start.
On Friday night nine hairy men came together, with a little help from some female friends, dabbed on a little makeup, tried on a few dresses, and offered Festival fans some pretty sights (I use these words loosely) like they've never seen before - The Mr. Hampton County Pageant.
More than 500 people turned out for this event, which raised more than $4,200 (and still counting) for Hampton County Relay For Life. If you missed this funny, off-the-wall event, you can check out the photos at spotted.hamptoncountyguardian.com and you'll be sure to come next year, if you dare!
If you did attend, and you enjoyed the show and the decorations, you can thank co-chair Beverly Johnson, who put it all together.
On behalf of the Festival and Relay, we want to personally thank all the brave men who stepped forward, donned their female attire and assumed a new identity for the night, all in the name of Festival fun and the war on cancer. We also want to thank everyone who personally helped out in any way, like Carl Gooding, Dr. Jim Dreyfuss, John Shaw, Stephanie Johnson, Bill Crosby from The Petal Palace, Cindy Davis, Becky Young, Mandy Gooding, Wendy Jarrell, and all the Relay folks. And thanks to all the Melon Belles and Beaus for your hard work!
And speaking of pageants, the Miss Coastal Empire Pageant was also a blast, despite the fact that EMS had to be called out for an unfortunate hip injury (we hope the young lady is doing fine and recovers quickly) with two local young ladies being crowned the new queens for this year's Watermelon Festival.
The 2012 Miss Coastal Empire Hampton County is Courtney Cylear, a Pondtown resident and the daughter of Craig and Babette Cylear, while Nixville's Miranda Rose Sutherland, daughter of Eleanor and Wes Jarrell, was chosen as Miss Teen Coastal Empire.
Tons of proud parents poured out Monday night for the cute little Kiddie Parade, and then on Tuesday a crowd gathered for The Taste of Hampton County to enjoy some grand, home-cooked Southern cuisine. And Wednesday brought more fun with the fishing contest and the bluegrass concert.
But enough of all that. That fun is now history. Let's talk about all the fun we're going to have later this week!
Before you get ready to enjoy the pet show and the Battle of the Towns on Thursday, and the streetdance on Friday night, there are a few rules you need to know. During the pet show live pets only will be allowed. That means no pet rocks, no imaginary pet friends, no road-killed pets, and no stuffed animals.
And during the streetdance please remember these rules:
- Drinking of alcoholic beverage will only be allowed on Lee Avenue, and not the adjoining streets. You can bring coolers onto Lee Avenue, and drinks must be in a cup (and no glass containers).
- Bikes, skateboards, and pets are not allowed on Lee Avenue during the dance. The only wheeled-vehicles allowed will be Junior's baby stroller, and Granny's wheelchair.
Be sure to check out the Carnival and the arts and crafts, but please try to enjoy the concessions responsibly (don't eat too many sausage dogs and try to drive). And get plenty of rest for the big weekend. Things start off early Saturday with the 5K run at 8 a.m., the watermelon judging at 9 a.m., and the Parade which begins in Varnville at 10 a.m.
Just in case you can't make it out to the parade (you poor thing!), there are plenty of other options. You can listen to live broadcasts from Variety Hits 92.1 in Hampton and WDOG in Allendale, and you can even watch it televised on WTOC Channel 11.
Immediately after the parade will be the welcoming speeches, free watermelon slices for everyone, and the Watermelon Eating Contest. Then there's just time for a nap before the Silent Auction/Variety Show at 7:30 p.m. at the Palmetto Theater.
Don't forget that the mud runs kick off at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Be sure to drink plenty of water, wear plenty of sunscreen, and have plenty of fun!
Well, festival friends, gotta run. I've got to have a little festival fun of my own, you know! I hear those sausage dogs calling my name.
Meanwhile, y'all keep on enjoying all those Watermelons, Watermelons, Watermelons.
See ya at The Festival!