Miss Fayette to be picked during Watermelon Days

By Mike Van Sickle
Union editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

Danielle Abernathy will pass her crown to one of three candidates for Miss Fayette during the community’s Watermelon Days festivities on Friday, Sept. 6.

An ice-cream social will actually kick off the weekend festivities at 5 p.m. Friday. In addition, Mayor Bill Dohrmann 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 & Master Fayette.

The 2013 Miss Fayette candidates are as follows:

Kitiara Aller, 16, is the daughter of Delmar and Marla Aller.

In her spare time, the Fayette teenager volunteers at the Fayette County Food Shelf and Thrift Store. She also enjoys reading and drawing. 

Kitiara notes that she would like to support the Make a Wish Foundation and help make kids’ wishes come true.

Tabitha Merkle, daughter of Jeff and Jean Merkle, is a member of North Fayette Valley Art Club. Her school activities also include choir, chamber choir, and large group speech and drama.

In addition, she helps with the mobile food pantry and participates in community theater. The 16-year-old also serves as a consultant at Rumor Prom & Bridal.  

Tabitha would like to help support Habitat for Humanity because she feels every family deserves a safe and solid home.

Rachel Pugh, 17, is the daughter of Andrew and Tricia Pugh. She participates in softball and cheerleading at North Fayette Valley.

Outside of school, Rachel enjoys, reading, writing, bicycling, fishing, babysitting, tutoring, and walking her dog.  

Rachel would like to support the Miracle Foundation because she believes every child deserves a chance at greatness.

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

The community celebration continues on Saturday with registration for the Watermelon Days Tot Trot & 5K Walk/Run at 7 a.m. The annual event is open to persons of all ages.

The “1972-2013: Then and Now” parade will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. The grand marshals are Roy and Jean Karlson (see feature on page).

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

Bean Bag Toss Tournament registration will take place in front of Triple J. Games and activities tentatively planned for the children include kids’ waterball, fire truck rides, a treasure hunt, face painting, barrel rides, and a Kids’ Safety Station.

The Watermelon Days Button raffle is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., with community games to follow at 6:30 p.m. A movie (TBA) on the lawn will be featured at the corner of Main and State streets. 

The fireworks have been ordered and will light up the sky at approximately 9:15 p.m. Saturday An additional movie on the lawn will be shown following the fireworks.

The 2013 Watermelon Days festivities will conclude Sunday, Sept. 8, with the Fayette Car Club Show & Shine. Automobile enthusiasts won’t want to miss the classic cars, which will be displayed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

For a complete schedule of Watermelon Days events, see the ad on page B2 of The Fayette County Union.