ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR 2010 MELONFEST

The Melonfest committee is busy preparing this year’s festival to be held Sept. 10 & 11 around the courthouse square in Brownstown. The Illianna Watermelon Queen, Sylvia Crowder, will be present throughout the festival to help with activities and to announce entertainment on the stage.

Last year’s newest activity, melon bowling, will once again be held Saturday morning at 10 a.m. on the front courthouse sidewalk. All ages are welcome to participate in this free event. No entry forms are required, but participants should be present by 9:45 a.m. Prizes will be awarded.

This activity will follow the corn hole tournament planned for 9 a.m. on the courthouse lawn. Entry fee for the corn hole tournament is $20 for a two-person team and forms must be in by Sept. 1. Jackson-Jennings Farm Bureau Co-Op and Kova Farm Supply will once again sponsor this activity with trophies for first and second places as well as cash awards. See the rules and print out the form off the Melonfest page on this website or go to the Banner or chamber offices in Brownstown.

The Melonfest Committee will sponsor favorite contests such as seed-spitting, watermelon steel and watermelon relays after the parade on Saturday.

The parade will step off at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, from the high school parking lot at Elm and Bridge Sts. The 2009 Miss America, Katie Stam, will be a special guest and will sign autographs on the courthouse lawn following the parade. If interested in participating, call Connie Reid, this year’s parade director, at 528-6168 or print off an entry form from the chamber website, www.brownstownchamber.org.

Entertainment will be provided on two stages this year. The Brownstown Volunteer Fire Dept. will have their smoke house on the square to teach children about fire safety and evacuation procedures during a fire. The Seymour Red Cross will be offering blood pressure screenings and there will be a farmer's market in front of the post office.

Plan to come, participate and enjoy!