Subscribe
Community
La Plata lets the good times, and melons, roll
Fourth of July event includes ‘Watermelon Bash'
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photos by NANCY BROMLEY McCONATY
Colton LeBeau, 5, celebrates the Fourth of July at La Plata's Watermelon Bash event at town hall Saturday.
|
E-Mail This Article
Patriotic music, American flags, red, white and blue attire, and lots of watermelons topped the bill at La Plata's Fourth of July celebration Saturday at town hall.
La Plata's Watermelon Bash and Fourth of July celebration in the parking lot of town hall on Queen Anne Street drew young and old. The College of Southern Maryland's Solid Brass Band played patriotic tunes while folks ate free hot dogs, guzzled free bottled water and topped the meal off with juicy, sweet slices of watermelon during the two-hour event that ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The biggest attractions during the event, which also included a moon bounce and face painting, were the watermelon toss, watermelon eating contest and watermelon roll.
Many adults and kids participated in the activities while others stood on the sidelines just enjoying the show.
"I like it a lot," said Margie Upchurch of La Plata. "There are lots of things for the kids to do and I love the music that's playing. It makes you feel like it's the Fourth of July."
Hazel Johnson of Port Tobacco enjoyed the patriotic atmosphere while selecting some free watermelon slices to sample.
"It's great," she said. "I get to see a lot of people in the community, and we all need to celebrate the Fourth of July."
"This is wonderful," said Lori DeLoache of Port Tobacco. "Everything about this is great. To see the community come out like this is great."
Vic and Linda Curtis of Brandywine said they have been coming to La Plata's Fourth of July celebration for years.
"This is the best one that the town has ever had," Vic Curtis said. "They really did a superb job this year."
"We've been to every single one and without a doubt this has drawn the biggest crowd and it's the best setup," Linda Curtis added.
"It's something to do that doesn't cost anything," said La Plata resident Helen Schaff.
"We come out for all of the town's events," said Deidre Cunningham while eating a slice of watermelon. "The town does a nice job for all of the holidays. I like the laid-back atmosphere."
Michael Jean and his son, 2-year-old Justin, enjoyed chowing down on watermelon slices underneath a big white tent that was set up in the parking lot of town hall.
"This is a great way to celebrate the holiday," Michael Jean said.
"It brings the community together. There's a nice, homey feel to it that you don't always get in bigger towns."
Amy Pena, the town's special events coordinator, said she decided to move the Fourth of July celebration from La Plata's historic train station off Kent Avenue to town hall because there was much more room there to hold the event.
"I'm really glad that I did it," she said. "We were able to add a lot more activities. I want events that bring the community together. That's what it's all about."
Eric Cavalier of La Plata offered his 3-year-old daughter, Rylee, a bird's eye view of the event by sitting her on his shoulders.
"This is real nice," he said. "It's good old-fashioned, wholesome family fun."
