Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
64th annual Watermelon Festival to feature melon, carnival, contests
 |
| The seven young women in this year’s Watermelon Festival princess pageant are (back, from left) Nicole Drago, Danielle Hoenig, Taylor Adamire and Rachel Brunstein; (front, from left) Sami Marlin, Rylie Kesselring and Hanna Blomme. The festival begins Thursday and runs through Saturday night. The princess crowning is at 6 p.m. Thursday on the stage behind the Ivor Fowler Community Center. |
By Brennan Umthun/MVM News Network
MONTROSE - For 64 summers and counting, people in search of succulent watermelon, and in the latter decades, tilt-a-whirls, have converged on the quaint Southeast Iowa river town of Montrose to feed their bellies and enjoy some good, wholesome family time.
This year is no different, as the 64th annual Montrose Watermelon Festival begins Thursday and runs through Saturday night.
There has been talk this year that the flooding hindered Iowa's watermelon production, though “the talk” won't be affecting the some 14,000 pounds of green and pink goodness the festival committee has corralled.
“We have heard that the flooding caused a shortage of watermelon,” said Sue Dinwiddie, treasurer of the Watermelon Festival Committee. “But we still have about seven tons of melon being delivered.”
Dinwiddie added that local green thumb Jim Johnson grows many of the melons for the festival, as well as uses his sources to bring in even more.
In addition to all the watermelon one can muster, the festival offers a real carnival: One that features most every child's favorite gimmick, Armband Day. Armbands will cost $15, but will get unlimited amusement park ride access from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday.
Kicking off the festival will be the crowning of the 2008 Watermelon Festival princess; this takes place at 6 p.m. Thursday at the stage behind the Ivor Fowler Community Center.
The first Watermelon Eating Contest of the weekend will get underway at 8:15 p.m. Thursday. The second contest will be at 8:15 p.m. Friday.
If you'd rather spit seeds than swallow them, the festival committee has your talent in mind. The seed spitting contest will take place at 1:20 p.m. Saturday.
Another staple of the Montrose Watermelon Festival is the grilled meats, offered at the food stand by the Montrose Fire Department.
“Due to the flood, we have replaced catfish with chicken this year,” said Dinwiddie. “Our fishermen couldn't get out on the river as much.”
The Montrose Fire Department will grill chicken on Friday evening, beginning at 5 p.m.. On Saturday evening, FFA Alumni will offer ribeye and butterfly pork sandwiches, beginning at 4 p.m.. In addition to said grilled meats, the food stand will also provide Maidrites, walking tacos, Polish sausage, hot dogs, tuna salad sandwiches and many sides and desserts.
The 64th Watermelon Festival isn't playing around, as 2008 sees the return of a greatly-popular attraction: Chicken Poop Bingo.
“People can buy a bingo square and when the chicken poops in the square you picked, you win,” said Dinwiddie. “We did this two years ago and it was a hit.”
Though as the old adage says: You can lead a chicken to bingo, but you can't make him poop.
“I don't think too many festivals offer Chicken Poop Bingo,” she said. “It will be played every day, numerous times.”
For those of you teenagers who have been bummed out by the lack of teen dances offered this summer, the Watermelon Festival hasn't forgotten about you. You can dance your little hearts out at 9 p.m. Friday night. The teen dance is sponsored by Dave Hunold and the Lee County Sheriff's Reserve.
Saturday morning, before the parade at noon, the Montrose Ball Association's pancake breakfast will be served from 7 to 10 a.m.
Also, on Saturday, are some contests for kids and adults alike. In the stage area the children's pedal tractor pulls will begin at 1:30 p.m. (registration, 1 to 1:30 p.m.).
For the bigger kids, the festival will offer garden tractor pulls at 3:30 p.m. on Main Street (registration begins at 2:30 p.m.).
The festival also will provide plenty of musical entertainment, crafts and flea market booths.
This year is no different, as the 64th annual Montrose Watermelon Festival begins Thursday and runs through Saturday night.
There has been talk this year that the flooding hindered Iowa's watermelon production, though “the talk” won't be affecting the some 14,000 pounds of green and pink goodness the festival committee has corralled.
“We have heard that the flooding caused a shortage of watermelon,” said Sue Dinwiddie, treasurer of the Watermelon Festival Committee. “But we still have about seven tons of melon being delivered.”
Dinwiddie added that local green thumb Jim Johnson grows many of the melons for the festival, as well as uses his sources to bring in even more.
In addition to all the watermelon one can muster, the festival offers a real carnival: One that features most every child's favorite gimmick, Armband Day. Armbands will cost $15, but will get unlimited amusement park ride access from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday.
ADVERTISEMENT |
The first Watermelon Eating Contest of the weekend will get underway at 8:15 p.m. Thursday. The second contest will be at 8:15 p.m. Friday.
If you'd rather spit seeds than swallow them, the festival committee has your talent in mind. The seed spitting contest will take place at 1:20 p.m. Saturday.
Another staple of the Montrose Watermelon Festival is the grilled meats, offered at the food stand by the Montrose Fire Department.
“Due to the flood, we have replaced catfish with chicken this year,” said Dinwiddie. “Our fishermen couldn't get out on the river as much.”
The Montrose Fire Department will grill chicken on Friday evening, beginning at 5 p.m.. On Saturday evening, FFA Alumni will offer ribeye and butterfly pork sandwiches, beginning at 4 p.m.. In addition to said grilled meats, the food stand will also provide Maidrites, walking tacos, Polish sausage, hot dogs, tuna salad sandwiches and many sides and desserts.
The 64th Watermelon Festival isn't playing around, as 2008 sees the return of a greatly-popular attraction: Chicken Poop Bingo.
“People can buy a bingo square and when the chicken poops in the square you picked, you win,” said Dinwiddie. “We did this two years ago and it was a hit.”
Though as the old adage says: You can lead a chicken to bingo, but you can't make him poop.
“I don't think too many festivals offer Chicken Poop Bingo,” she said. “It will be played every day, numerous times.”
For those of you teenagers who have been bummed out by the lack of teen dances offered this summer, the Watermelon Festival hasn't forgotten about you. You can dance your little hearts out at 9 p.m. Friday night. The teen dance is sponsored by Dave Hunold and the Lee County Sheriff's Reserve.
Saturday morning, before the parade at noon, the Montrose Ball Association's pancake breakfast will be served from 7 to 10 a.m.
Also, on Saturday, are some contests for kids and adults alike. In the stage area the children's pedal tractor pulls will begin at 1:30 p.m. (registration, 1 to 1:30 p.m.).
For the bigger kids, the festival will offer garden tractor pulls at 3:30 p.m. on Main Street (registration begins at 2:30 p.m.).
The festival also will provide plenty of musical entertainment, crafts and flea market booths.
 |
||
| Hamilton implements tighter security |
Reader Comments
| Please log in or create an account by filling out the form on the right. | |
