A Weekend Worth Telling and Retelling
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Chamber Report
By Jessie Gurner
What a weekend.
Music Fest returned this year to a newly renovated The Civic, and let me tell you: she cleaned up nice. The stage gleamed and the new Art Deco sconces glowed like they were auditioning for a movie. It was the kind of night that makes you proud to be from Water Valley.
And then, as if that weren’t enough, Friday showed up and said, “Hold my watermelon.”
By mid-afternoon, City Park was brimming with people—and we do mean brimming. Locals, visitors, alumni, and folks who just followed the smell of funnel cake all packed in for the biggest Friday crowd we’ve ever seen. It was standing room only for first-time visitor meteorologist Matt Laubhan.
Matt reported live from the park for “Mississippi Live Weather,” but before the segment was even over, he was swarmed by fans—from toddlers to grandmothers—all hoping for a selfie with the man who somehow managed to bring us the most perfect carnival weather in years. We’re talking a gentle breeze, and temperatures low enough that nobody had to wring out their socks. And yes, we’re giving Matt full credit. We’ve already submitted our formal request for the exact same forecast next year. Don’t let us down, Matt.
Friday night also gave us that goosebump moment during the Opening Ceremonies. There’s just something about standing in the park surrounded by neighbors, hearing the National Anthem rise into the summer air, that makes your heart catch in your throat. Queen Mya Harden was radiant as she rode up in the bucket truck—smiling, waving, and launching the ceremonial watermelon to its dramatic (and very splatty) end. Huge thanks to the Water Valley Electric Department for making that moment possible year after year. You guys make it look easy, and we know it’s not.
Then came the Street Dance. Joe Austin and the Tallahatchies warmed up the crowd with their signature Mississippi sound—part rock, part country, all charm. And then Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster rolled in and absolutely delivered on their name. The crowd danced, sang along, and left with sore feet and happy hearts. The fireworks show during their intermission was one of our best yet, perfectly choreographed to music that made your chest thump and your eyes water. If you missed it (or just want to relive it), you can catch the video on the Chamber’s Facebook page—just don’t expect the soundtrack. It’s all snap, crackle, boom. Which, honestly, is still pretty satisfying.
Saturday morning came early—but the town was ready. BankFirst’s 3K race saw runners of all ages line up at Railroad Park, while the south end of town buzzed with activity. The Farmers Market was bustling under the Magnolia trees, the Touch-a-Truck event had kids climbing in and out of every vehicle imaginable, and Shuffield Park gleamed with polished chrome at the car show. Watermelon Queen Mya Harden joined the car parade in style, along with special guests Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson and Gulf Coast Watermelon Queen Maci Cross.
The Casey Jones Railroad Museum welcomed a record number of visitors which shows just how many people were eager to learn more about Water Valley’s rich railroad history. With Grant Thompson on hand to guide tours and answer questions, the museum offered a cool place of discovery amid the festive chaos.
Then at noon, the star event of the weekend happened in the center of City Park at the Gazebo. First-time grower Tom Hill stunned the crowd with a 162.1-pound watermelon and took home top honors along with the $1,000 prize. Not bad for a rookie. If this is how he starts, we can’t wait to see what he grows next year.
Meanwhile, vendors lined the Park offering everything from handmade crafts to hot pink feather boas. You didn’t even know you needed a watermelon-shaped birdhouse or a watermelon-themed welcome mat until, suddenly, you couldn’t live without it. And this year, food vendors spilled out onto both North and South Court Streets. It was impossible to walk ten feet without being tempted by fried everything and lemonade so cold it made your teeth hurt.
And oh, the music. From Tom Foolery’s acoustic jams in the morning to Jacob Kynard’s soul-stirring set, to the hometown heart of Tanner Mills and the rich storytelling of Charlie Mars, it was a day full of good sound and good company. Singlewide closed the show with just the right mix of harmony and energy to leave us smiling.
But one of the most heartwarming traditions comes quietly at the end when the winners of the Train Tracks Pork Attack BBQ contest are announced. You don’t see much of these teams during the weekend—they’re tucked away behind Renasant Bank shrouded in smoke. But when the sun begins to set and the Carnival winds down, they emerge, aprons stained, tired but proud, to gather around the gazebo. The final awards are announced, and the cheers—oh, the cheers—are loud enough to shake the leaves. It’s a moment of camaraderie and celebration.
As the park emptied and the last light blinked on, one thing was clear: this was one for the books. Cool weather, warm hearts, good food, great music, and the kind of memories that get better every time you tell the story.
See you next year. Same time. Same breeze. Same magic.
