City Gears Up For Watermelon Carnival
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City officials and community leaders met Friday morning at City Hall to coordinate preparations for the carnival.
WATER VALLEY – Although the annual Watermelon Carnival is still several weeks away, city officials and community volunteers are already hard at work preparing Water Valley for one of its busiest weekends of the year.
Mayor Tommy Reynolds called together representatives of the city’s police, fire, street and utility departments Friday morning at City Hall to coordinate cleanup, beautification, security and logistics for the July 31-Aug. 1 celebration. Also participating were Yalobusha County Sheriff Jerimaine Gooch, City Clerk Vivian Snider and Town & Country Garden Club member Jessie Gurner.
Topics ranged from mowing, trimming and litter pickup to downtown decorations, traffic control, public safety, fireworks, vendor needs and preparations at The Civic, City Park and other Carnival venues. Officials also discussed downtown banners, barricade placement, additional equipment for city crews and plans to have the city ready before thousands of visitors begin arriving.
Reynolds encouraged departments to begin preparations earlier than in previous years.
“I know that the custom is to start two weeks before, but if we wait for two weeks before, I think we’re going to have problems,” Reynolds said.
The Town & Country Garden Club also outlined plans for its communitywide Watermelon Welcome campaign, encouraging residents, businesses, churches and civic organizations to help spruce up Water Valley before thousands of visitors arrive for Carnival.
Reynolds said residents also have an important role to play.
“Everybody’s got to do their own,” Reynolds said. “Government can’t do everything for everybody. This is a people deal, this is not a government deal.”
Police Chief Jason Mangrum said officers will once again concentrate much of their attention on Friday night’s opening ceremonies and street dance, when the largest crowds traditionally gather.
“Friday, if we have issues, they’re Friday night,” Mangrum said. “Saturday is minor traffic accidents and people parking in the wrong spot.”
Officials also discussed traffic control for the city’s July 4 fireworks celebration, including plans to restrict parking along portions of South Main Street to improve safety for motorists and spectators.
Reynolds praised city employees and volunteers for carrying extra responsibilities as departments continue preparing for Carnival.
“We’ve got to make sure that we get everything done,” he said. “Whatever is needed, we’ve got to do it.”
