The “high, holy days” are here: Watermelon Day in Stanhope kicks off early Saturday
Block party on Watermelon Day Eve
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For 69 years, the Stanhope Lions have taken the lead on making sure Watermelon Days in Stanhope is a great celebration.
But it's not just a project of the Lions Club, according to Grant Young, a member of the Lions.
"Watermelon Day doesn't belong to any one organization or club, it belongs to Stanhope, to the people who live here," said Young. "The high, holy days are here."
The Lions club, which has 20 members, takes the lead in making sure this event happens the third weekend in July each year.
There are some things that haven't changed in 69 years. Watermelon is the main attraction, but there is more to the day.
"There are three rides every year, the train rides, the plane rides and the swings," he said,
"When we were setting up the rides last year, we realized they were just as important as the watermelon, and we wanted to fix them up. This year these old rides will look shiny and new."
All three of these rides are owned by the Lions and have been in the park each year since the beginning of Watermelon Day. Since last year, they have been repainted and spruced up. The planes were the most recent new paint jobs.
"We picked out the most famous planes, the Blue Angels, the Red Baron, The Spirit of Saint Louis," said Young. The 69 year old planes have been repainted in the colors of these famous aircraft, making them look like new.
Those children's rides cost 50 cents. That's a bargain for a day that includes free watermelon, a parade, car and tractor show, bingo and so much more.
On Watermelon Day eve, the city of Stanhope has organized a huge block party Friday night, with the Spencer Suchen band and the Ackley German band providing live music. Envision Stanhope is the sponsor for the block party.
Saturday morning activities start early with three new activities.
"We've added the world's shortest 5K," said Young, "It's five blocks. You can run, you can walk, you can walk your dog, you can do cartwheels for all five blocks."
The Lions are encouraging participants to dress up for the event,
"First place, last place, and then the best outfit," he said. "The first 50 people registered get a teeshirt that says 'I survived the world's shortest 5K at Watermelon Day'".
Registration for the 5K is $10 per person or $25 for a family. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m. The route is from Alfred to Park streets.
The finish line will be hand chalked by Stanhope youth.
After the race, Dutch Oven Bakery of Boone will be selling donuts, juice and coffee. That is the second new addition.
The traditional Watermelon Day parade begins at 10:30 a.m.
"We changed the parade up a bit," said Young, "I think we are at over 60 entries."
The deadline was Thursday to have a write-up read during the parade. But late entries will be accepted, if not registered. Young said late entries should go to the south end of town by the old car wash, and they will be assigned a spot.
"The third new thing is a car and tractor show. Participants can start lining up at First State Bank at 11 a.m. after the parade," said Young, "The show will go from noon to 4 p.m. The biggest benefit for participating in the car show is premium parking," he laughed.
After the parade everything opens in the park.
"We have games, bingo, a softball tournament," he said. The food stand opens up, which is run by the Stanhope Lions. Walking tacos, Lion burgers, hot dogs and home-made pies can be purchased from the food stand.
"We have people all over town making pies," he said, "We have over 100 pies coming in first thing on Saturday morning."
And that is what makes this event special. The Lions club may take the lead, but the event is a community project.
"My favorite thing is that so many people pitch in," he said. "Everybody puts in an extra effort.
"The bingo stand has been repainted and re-shingled," he continued "We are able to do all these things because everyone comes to Watermelon Day. We are reinvesting the money back into the park, and doing all we can to keep it in top shape."
The concrete slabs which will be used by the rides during Watermelon Day, will be used for either pickle ball courts or basketball courts after the weekend is over.
"We are going to find the most weatherproof and kidproof things to put there," he said.
And when everything ends on Saturday, it will be time to put things away and clean up until next year. Everyone can pitch in and help clean up, that job begins on Sunday at 1 p.m.
But for the Saturday event, Young reminds everyone that the watermelon is still free.
"Just bring your own fork."