Guess what, watermelon lovers? Only eight days and a wake up until the 69th Hampton County Watermelon Festival officially blasts off, and I don't know about you but I am as excited as a crow in an all-you-can-eat melon patch!
We've got a lot of good news to talk about, but before we get busy we need to get into the proper Watermelon Festival spirit. So here's what we need to do:
First, lay the newspaper down for just a moment and run go put on your brand-spanking new official Watermelon Festival T-shirt. What? You don't have one yet?
We can solve that problem mighty quick! This year's crop of Festival T's has just been delivered, so if you're in the Hampton area run down to either Ulmer's Feed and Seed, Brown's Office Supply or the Paisley Pineapple. If you are in the Estill area, then drop in at Family Hair Care. Prices are: youth $12, adult $14, and plus sizes $16.
Okay, so now you're wearing your Watermelon Festival shirt, a pair of shorts, and some flip flops. Still not 100 percent in that Festival spirit yet?
Okay, here's what you need: a hot-off-the-presses copy of the only official Watermelon Festival Program Book around, cranked off the presses this very week by the hardworking folks at Hampton Printing, Leroy and Mary Kennedy.
This publication is so special, the only reading material I keep beside my bed during the week of the Festival are the Holy Bible and The Watermelon Book! (And, of course, The Hampton County Guardian.)
With 84 pages crammed packed with festival articles and tidbits, info on the grand marshals and many of your favorite teachers, schedules, photos of your favorite queens, and much more, The Book is guaranteed to get you in the Festival frame of mind for the bargain price of only $2! There is even a warm welcome by our Festival Chairman Robert Brown, and a dedication to the theme, Honoring Our Teachers, by yours truly. And don't forget to check out the advertisements so you know where to go to get what you need during the Festival.
You can pick up your copy at the Varnville Town Hall, the Tiger Express stations in Hampton and Varnville, The Rhodesway Shell station, The Frock Shop, Hampton Printing, Paisley Pineapple, Alice Hazel, CPA, Palmetto State Bank, Vincent's Drugs, Piggly Wiggly, and The Hampton Museum and Visitors' Center.
Think you're in that festival spirit now? Okay, let's get started!

Dude looks like a lady
There are a couple of pre-festival activities we need to talk about, starting with the 7th annual Motorcyle Ride. The Ride will be held Saturday beginning at Harold's Country Club on Highway 17A-21, Yemassee. Registration is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with the first bike out at 10:30 a.m. and the last bike in at 3 p.m. Entry fee is $15 per bike, with $5 for an additional rider.
And then we have the much-anticipated (and very likely regretted) Mr. Hampton County all-male beauty pageant to be held Friday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Wade Hampton gym. Now the concept behind this new Festival event is simple: a bunch of us guys are going to dress up like women, raise a little money for Relay For Life, and prance around for your entertainment in formal wear, melon wear, and even a talent competition. Sounds like fun, huh?
The guy who raises the most money for Relay will earn a crown and the title of Mr. Crimson Sweet. All of the men will also be competing in three age groups with the overall winner being crowned Mr. Hampton County. And, later, we'll all meet down at the local psychiatrist for some much-needed therapy.
But until then, what a cast of characters we have for you. Here's the lineup, by age division:
Charleston Gray (age 46 and up)
Billy Landers
Chris Altman
Kevin Rotunda
Thomas Doyle

Jubilee (ages 26-45)
Kevin Pierson
Lee Mixson
Chad Westendorf

Sugar Babies (ages 15-25)
Corey Tate
Jason Tuten
Admission to this family friendly event is only $5 per person, but please bring plenty of $1 bills.

Making the news
The Watermelon Festival is making a big splash this year. WTOC Channel 11 out of Savannah is once again looking to broadcast the parade for us this year! I'll keep you posted on that as details develop, and be sure to watch for the Mr. Hampton County Pageant float with all the man queens on board.
And keep an eye out for me, I'll be wearing that brand new sun dress I found on sale at The Frock Shop. (Don't tell anyone, but I'll be sporting my yellow polka dot bikini underneath! How naughty!)
And don't forget that the Festival will be featured in Sandlapper and S.C. Living magazines, which are due off the presses soon, so be sure to grab a copy.

Until we meet again
I've got tons more Festival news I can share with you, but I don't think my poor little Hampton County heart can stand it, so be sure to check out next week's Guardian for our super special section packed full of Watermelon goodies!
And don't forget that the big opening day, Family Fun Day, will not be held on Fathers Day but will instead kick off Saturday, June 18 at 10 a.m.
Meanwhile, start getting ready for days and days of festival fun.
Invite your family and friends from far and wide, take a break from work, and be sure to enjoy lots of Watermelons, Watermelons, Watermelons.
See ya at The Festival!