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Stanhope Lions ready up for 65th Watermelon Day
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Who doesn't love watermelon?
It's a staple of the summer, and part of a Stanhope tradition that has stretched for six and a half decades.
Starting with Envision Stanhope's Block Party at 8 p.m. tonight and stretching into Saturday evening, the Stanhope Lion Club's 65th annual Watermelon Day aims to pull out all of the stops associated with a town celebration with a large parade, softball tournament, musicals acts and, of course, the watermelon.
Although Stanhope has relied on its traditional fare, there are some new wrinkles that will go into the 2023 edition of the one day extravaganza.
According to Roger Hayes, who represents the Stanhope Lions Club, there are several new things that individuals and families can enjoy.
"The Stanhope Lions Club is offering KidSight USA this year," Hayes said. "It provides eye screening and follow-up care for children. This is a great program for kids to detect visual conditions that are sight threatening."
Hayes also pointed out that there will be a "Fun Mall" vendor fair with nearly 20 different vendors and a cornhole tournament. The "Fun Mall" opens at 11 a.m., and the bags tournament will begin at 4 p.m.
"We have a cornhole competition during the day with first and second place winners," Hayes said. "Plus, all of the antique cars and tractors that were in the parade line-up by the park so they can show them to the public."
"This year, we will be accepting all credit cards for tickets, food and t-shirts," added Hayes. "Previously we were cash only.
Envision Stanhope has its proverbial kick-off party, which will feature Hawk McIntyre and Jake Doty, will get revved up at 8 p.m. between City Park and the Community Building. There is an entry fee to join the festivities.
Saturday's events have a bright and early start, as the Watermelon Day Parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. The featured guest of the parade will be the Webster City Lynx Imperial Marching Band.
"We start with a parade on the edge of town on Highway 17, with over 70 entries and it weaves through town for a few blocks," Hayes said. "We'll have a kids' pedal tractor pull at 1 p.m. and the Watermelon Eating contest at 1:30 p.m., which kicks off our all day free watermelon."
In between the Parade and the Watermelon Eating Contest is the dedication for the Stanhope Depot, which returned to town following a 40-year stay at the Carlson Farm north of town. The ceremony will take place at noon, followed by the Heart of Iowa Cloggers at 12:45 p.m.
Of course, there's plenty more going on within the heart of Stanhope.
"Our softball tournament continues throughout the day and into the evening," Hayes said. "We'll have the kids nickel scramble with our local police. Cloggers, a train ride, kids airplane ride and swings, ring toss, darts and basketball games, a duck pond where they can win prizes, face painting by Tickle the Clown, a raffle for $750 and prizes and Watermelon Day t-shirts."
"At the end of the day, we'll have a couple music bands and a fire spinning performance," Hayes added.
The musical acts slated for Watermelon Day will be Madd Co. and Foreignesque, who are tribute bands to Bad Company and Foreigner, respectively. The live music will start at 4:30 p.m. and go until 6:30 p.m.
Just in case inclement weather decides to roll through, Watermelon Day will simply move a day back to Sunday.
How about some future plans? According to Hayes, it's mostly about balancing current trends with the traditional events that a small town celebration holds near and dear.
"There will be new rides, events, music, and other changes that we will need to make to keep our celebration relevant for the current visitors," said Hayes. "Whether you are young or old, a common theme among visitors is the tradition and authenticity of our town and our celebration. We need to make sure we maintain that wholesome, small-town feeling. That's what makes Iowa, Iowa."
Among the summer slate, towns often stack their respective celebrations over the course of a weekend while shifting to more free and family-oriented activities. Stanhope is no different.
However, a unique feature of Watermelon Day is that Stanhope aims to tie generations who grew up with chomping down on the green and pink fruit to the current and future generations.
"For over 65 years, the Lions passed, from generation to generation, many of the same rides and games that kids, now parents, bring their kids to enjoy," Hayes said. "Yes, we have some new rides and new ways to do things, but we still have the favorites that the kids still enjoy. You won't need to break the bank coming to Watermelon Day. We are truly focused around kids and families. This weekend, we are celebrating 65 years of creating a day to remember in rural, small-town Iowa."
Hayes and the Stanhope Lions had plenty of gratitude to spread, as well.
"We would like to thank the Webster City Lynx Imperial Marching Band for marching in our parade this year," Hayes said. "We hope it will become a tradition. We also want to give thanks to the South Hamilton Football players, who helped us get all the fencing, rides and seating set up for Watermelon Day."
"We want to thank our local 4-H clubs for cleaning up the park after every Watermelon Day and taking over the ring toss game," Hayes continued. "Thanks to the City of Stanhope and the fire fighters for all your work setting up. And of course, without all the many volunteers that make our Watermelon day possible, the Stanhope Lions Club sends a very sincere thank you."
Schedule of Events
Envision Stanhope presents Block Party
Friday, July 14
8 p.m. to 11 p.m. (between City Park and the Community Building)
The 65th Stanhope Lions Watermelon Day
Saturday, July 15
All Day -- Softball Tournament
10:30 a.m. -- Watermelon Day Parade
11 a.m. -- Food Stand, Rides, Games and Bingo open
11:30 a.m. -- KidSight free eye screening (Community Building)
Noon -- Stanhope Depot Dedication
12:45 p.m. -- Heart of Iowa Cloggers
1 p.m. -- Kids Pedal Tractor Pull
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- Free Watermelon, bring your own fork!
1:30 p.m. -- Watermelon Eating Contest
2 p.m. -- Kids Nickel Scramble
2:30 p.m. -- Sheltered Reality Drummers
3:45 p.m. -- Tanner Ehlert and Flow
4 p.m. -- Cornhole Tournament
4:30 p.m. -- Madd Co, Foreignesque
6:30 p.m. -- Raffle Winner Announcement
Rain date is Sunday, July 16.