Watermelon Queen, Court Will Be Presented At Music Festival
The Complete Guide To Water Valley’s 41st Annual Watermelon Carnival is included in this week’s Herald. The 32-page tabloid contains stories about carnivals past and information about this year’s event. The cover is by local artist Rebecca McGavock and features siblings Eli and Anne Kate Sartor.
Watermelon Diaper – Hayes Cobern is sporting the latest thing in Watermelon fashion—the Watermelon Diaper. Hayes, the 3-month son of Derek and Marnie Cobern, is the first grandchild of Roy and Sammie Cobern, all of Water Valley. Hayes is also the grandson of the late Joe and Muff Franklin of Coffeeville.
Water Valley Chamber of Commerce officials (from left) Bonnie Cox and Mary Sue Stevens display this year’s carnival memorabilia. The goodies include the commemorative Christmas ornament, t-shirts and the official carnival program. T-shirts can be picked up at various locations in town for $15 and programs cost $5. If you are not able to stop by the chamber office, t-shirts can be mailed for $20 and programs can mailed for $10. To order, send a check to the Chamber, P.O. Box 726, Water Valley, M
2010 Watermelon Queen Steffi River
Steffi River, 2010 Watermelon Queen, and her court will be presented tonight during opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. at the gazebo in City Park.
Steffi is the daughter of Keith and Jayne River. Her grandparents are Dr. Rayford and Teresia Edgar of Water Valley and Henry River of Pinckneyville, Illinois. She is a sophomore at Ole Miss, with a major in Health Information and Information Management. A member of Delta Gamma Social Sorority, she is also a member of Campus Crusade, First Baptist Church of Water Valley, Sigma Alpha Lambda Honor Society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Gamma Beta Pi Honors Society, and was the 2009 Miss Hospitality for Water Valley.
She will present her royal court.
Among other performers appearing at the Music Festival will be Derek Redmond, a 25-year-old native of Oxford who is a country and western singer. Also on the program are a number of surprise acts sure to entertain the audience. Finale of the Festival will be a tribute to the Armed Forces by singer and Master of Ceremonies Erik Fearing.
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Cooks Needed For Carnival Contest
By David Howell
Editor
WATER VALLEY – With $1,500 prize money and bragging rights at stake, the Water Valley Chamber of Commerce needs cooking teams and individuals to beef up this year’s carnival with the brand new Pickup Porkers Barbecue Cooking Contest.
“We think this will be an exciting new event in this year’s lineup, but we still need more participation,” Chamber organizer Tonya Eubanks reported.
Teams are allowed to setup beginning as early as Thursday at 9 a.m., with a mandatory team meeting with Chamber officials set for Friday at 6 p.m.
Teams are also allowed to sell their food for profit on Friday, August 6, and Saturday, August 7, if they have a food permit issued by the State of Mississippi or if they are raising funds for a non-profit group or cause.
Jim Varner is heading up a team from O’tuckalofa as a fundraiser for the youth.
“A lot of church members will participate,” Varner said. “We are looking forward to the fun and fellowship.”
Varner’s team will participate in the pork category, cooking ribs for the contest. They will also have pulled pork sandwiches, drinks and other items to sell during the event.
“I think it will be a great event for churches and other organizations to participate in,” Varner said.
Eubanks said teams registered for the event include individuals and organizations and stressed the event is geared to accommodate everyone.
“We still need entries to make this a successful event that we can build on in the years to come,” Eubanks added.
Taster’s Choice
This is the big money category with members of the public allowed to sign up for $10 and sample food from each team that participates in this category.
The team that receives the most votes from the samplers will win $1,500. Teams are required to provide a small sample for up to 150 people.
Poultry and Pork
Next on the lineup is a pork and chicken category. Outside judges will pick the winners of this contest and the prize for first place in each category is $300, with the second place winners receiving $200 and a $125 for third place.
The pork will be judged at 9 a.m., followed by poultry at 10:15 a.m.
To enter the pork, poultry or taster’s choice categories, you must purchase a booth from the Chamber, with the prices ranging from $100 to $150.
Sides, Desserts and Anything Watermelon
Eubanks hopes that anyone who has a favorite dessert or dish will enter this category, which also offers cash prizes. The Chamber will award $100 for first, $50 for second place and $25 for third place in each of the categories.
The cost for entering these events is $10 per entry and you do not have to purchase a booth.
Desserts will be judged at 11:30, followed by side dishes at 12:45 and anything watermelon at 2 p.m.
“These contests will be stored inside Renasant Bank until judging time,” Eubanks added.
Eubanks urged potential contestants not to wait until the last minute to register.
Applications may be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce office between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. or at Hair Trendz or Family Hairloom. For more information, contact the Chamber office at 473-1122 or Eubanks at 662-609-7370 or tonyaeu banks@att.net.
