Web posted
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Oxford brings out the melons
By JOSHUA AMES
Courier Staff Writer
OXFORD -- The 61st Annual Oxford Lions Club Watermelon feed is set for Saturday in Napawalla Park.
Club treasurer Bob Hendricks, a 1961 graduate of Oxford High School, said the watermelon feed has always been a way for the club to let loose and touch base with the community is a fun-filled environment. It is also a good way to raise funds for club projects.
"The Lions Club is a great organization that does a lot of community service," said Hendricks. "The watermelon feed is one of the main fundraisers that we have."
For early birds, breakfast will be served by the Oxford High School senior class in the high school commons area from 7 to 9.
As soon as breakfast is over, many arts and crafts booths will be open to the public at the park.
The kiddies will be able to start their day at 9:30 with the games and entertainment such as the moonwalk, balloon launch, hillbilly golf and a dunk tank.
Lunch will be served by the Oxford Lions Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
All games will be closed during the parade. The Kiddie Parade is scheduled for 1:45 p.m., followed by the Main Parade at 2.
Kiddie parade participants will meet at the corner of E. Olive and N. Sumner.
Main parade entrants will meet at the corner of Michigan and College. All entrants are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of time.
The Kiddie Parade will feature area children displaying their creativity through many different entries, mostly bicycle decoration oriented. A $5 prize will be given for the "Most Creative" entry.
This year's Main Parade will be led by the Oxford Wildhogs Motorcycle Riders. Riders in this year's feed will be given the opportunity to earn, for the first time, a "Silly Little Patch" prize for leading the parade.
The parade will also feature the Oxford High School Band, antique cars and tractors, area emergency response vehicles, and many floats. The parade theme is "Red, White and Blue: In honor of service men and women." Main Parade entries will be judged on theme content with a $50 prize for first place, a $25 prize for second and a $15 prize for third.
At 2:30 the signature event of the day will begin: Free watermelon will be served to the public.
Feed goers be able to pick and choose what event they want to attend, with the turtle races, money dig and a cake walk sponsored by the Oxford After-Prom Party Committee all opening simultaneously.
Special performances by the Oxford High School Band and local singer Chelsea Zimmerman-Weaver will begin at 3:30.
When feed goers have tuckered themselves out after a day of fun, the Oxford Lions Club will serve dinner from 5:30 to 7:30. A merchandise and grand prize drawing will start at 7.
The merchandise drawing will have 15 tickets, valued at $50 each, and can be used at any area Dillons.
A watermelon feed button is required to be eligible for this event. Buttons may be obtained from Oxford establishments such as the Oxford City Building, Donna's Pizza, Angie's Restaurant, Emerald Bank and Primarily Plants.
The feed will wind down at 9:30 with a dance in the park, scheduled to go on until midnight.
The watermelon feed is not only a time-honored tradition in the spirit of the city, Hendricks said, but also a great way for the Lions Club to help bring the people of Oxford together, if only for a day.
"We do all kinds of civic activities, and we try to involve as much of the community as we can," Hendricks said.
And they invite everyone from the area to visit and take part in the activities too.
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