Watermelon Days ripe with 'Opportunities'

Tabitha Merkle will pass on her crown to one of two candidates for Miss Fayette during the community’s Watermelon Days festivities on Friday, Sept. 5.

A community supper and ice cream social will actually kick off the weekend festivities at 5 p.m. Friday. In addition, Mayor Andrew Wenthe will present the Mayor’s Awards at 6:30 p.m., which will be followed by the coronation ceremony for Mr. & Miss Fayette and Little Miss & Little Master Fayette.

The 2014 Miss Fayette candidates are as follows:

Kitiara Aller is the 17-year-old daughter of Delmar and Marla Aller.

In school, the teen is active in the Art Club. In her spare time Kitiara volunteers at the Fayette County Food Shelf and the Thrift Store. She also enjoys reading, drawing, writing, and walking the Fayette trails.

Aller noted that she would support the American Humane Society because the organization helps protect animals from abuse, neglect, and abandonment.

Rachel Pugh is the daughter of Andrew and Tricia Pugh.

The 18-year-old participates in Spanish Club, Speech Club, is the president of FCS, and a member of the Prom Committee at school.

Outside of school, Rachel enjoys coaching baseball, volunteering at Maple Crest Manor, tutoring students, and working at the Fayette Tourism Center.

Pugh would like to support Bite-Back, a shark and marine conservation organization, because she believes it is important to have healthy oceans.

DJ music will be provided for a street dance in downtown Fayette following the Friday evening ceremonies.

The community celebration continues on Saturday with the “Change = Opportunity” themed parade will at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6. The grand marshals are Don and Denice Vandersee (See story on page A2).

In addition to free watermelon, additional fun and games begin at noon on Saturday.

Games and activities tentatively planned for the children include fire truck rides, barrel rides, a kiddie tractor pull, treasure hunt, and martial arts demonstrations.

There will be a silent action sponsored by the Friends of the Fayette Community Library and a flea market from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The Watermelon Days Button raffle is scheduled for 5 p.m. A movie (TBA) on the lawn will be featured at the corner of Main and State streets.

Celebrity Game Night is scheduled for the stage at 6 p.m. Saturday and will be played similar to the TV show “Hollywood Game Night,” which has contestants play fun games with celebrities. At the beginning of the show, contestants’ names will be randomly drawn out of the bucket to play and have a chance to win a cash prize. A few of the local celebrities who might just show up to play this wild game include Cory Ford (KCRR 97.7), Justin Gehrts (KCRG TV 9), Justin Roberts (KGAN TV 2), Laurie Wild (Q94.3), and Liz Brown (KOEL 950AM).

The fireworks have been ordered and will light up the sky at approximately 9:30 p.m. Saturday evening.

The 2014 Watermelon Days festivities will conclude Sunday, Sept. 7, with an unorganized Tractor Ride at 7 a.m.

Automobile enthusiasts won’t want to miss the classic cars at the Fayette Car Club Show & Shine, which will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Klock’s Island.