OAKLAND – Students across the area are invited to join Kids in the Park, an outdoor back-to-school celebration, at the James Riley Swearengen Walking Track and Park in Oakland at 61 Walnut Street on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Magician Steve Thomas, will entertain from 11:15 am to noon. Prior to the…

It’s been a great week here at Mt Liberty. I know everyone enjoyed the Watermelon Carnival last weekend. I didn’t go myself, it was just way too hot for me to enjoy. Usually, I’ll stay home and later regret not attending the carnival. I started my new job this week. So far, I’m enjoying it.…

Welcome to another Watermelon Carnival, Water Valley’s signature festival. For many carnival goers this weekend is a homecoming – reunions, family get-togethers and reminiscing. That’s the beauty of the annual carnival, different events for everybody. For some it’s the local talent that will perform Friday and Saturday. For others it is the carnival atmosphere with…

The Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce strives to keep the annual carnival exciting and unique and this year’s lineup includes a new event for youth in the county. More than a dozen youth signed up for the inaugural Youth Watermelon Contest to compete in a fun challenge to see who can grow the biggest…

There was a notable shift in the Watermelon Carnival lore in 1999. This was the year that watermelon growers started planting a different melon variety known for its massive size as all three top melons in the 1999 Largest Melon Contest were Carolina Cross melons. Marty Bost claimed top honors that year with a 100-pounder.…

The longtime carnival run is a true community event. Sure, there is intense competition as pavement pounders jockey for a first place finish, but for many it is a Saturday morning stroll with friends and family. Mothers push strollers, friends deck out in costumes and competitors young and old look forward to the event year…

Spoiler alert: You will not see the biggest melons growing this season during the carnival contest Saturday, but you will likely see the biggest melons ever entered in this contest. This means the record for the biggest watermelon in the carnival’s Largest Melon Contest that has stood for 18 years could be in jeopardy. The…

WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley Historic Preservation Commission approved certificates of appropriateness for proposed exterior changes to two Main Street buildings and requested additional information on a third application during a Zoom meeting Monday night. FNB Oxford Bank representative John Supple received approval for work at the FNB Water Valley branch at 400 North…

WATER VALLEY – A summer project in one county district is winding down after eight-and-a-half miles of roads were paved. District Three Supervisor Kenny Harmon reported the work spans five-and-a-half miles on County Road 225, eight-tenths of a mile on County Road 91 and 1.6 miles on County Road 191. The mat and seal roads,…