2010 Festival Summary
4th Annual May Day Festival
The Annual May Day Festival Committee Inc. was founded by Chairman Marcus Baldwin to recognize the historic events brought about by the Emancipation Proclamation for the entire community regardless of race, nationality, or religion. The committee’s board members are Secretary Brenda Baker, Treasurer Tanya Durham, and Safety Director Jimmy Macon. The organization’s goal is to make Defuniak Springs a better place to live for all residents, provide family oriented activities, encourage and grow the children in Walton County into well-rounded adults, and to invite everyone to participate in the community. The festival is the major event for the group but the focus is on the community all year with many projects specifically aimed at helping others.
On Thursday morning (May 13th) as Chairman Marcus Baldwin was leading the circus to Gene Hurley Recreational Park he thought back to May 17, 2009 when the plans began for the festival only a couple of days away. Later that evening the stage was in place and the concession stand was organized. Again Friday morning he and his team were back at Gene Hurley Recreational Park along with Walton County Parks & Recreation staff getting bleachers in place, softball fields lined, tents from Cary Glen setup, while Brad Alford was becoming the first person in Walton County to fertilize his garden with elephant dung. Well after dark the Annual May Day Festival Committee Inc staff left the park, even H&M was ready to serve hot dogs, and everything was ready for the big day.
May 15th arrived and vendors were lined up at 6:30 AM waiting direction to their spot in the vendor area. Volunteers from Walton High School Anchor and Key Clubs along with numerous Walton County bus drivers helped direct traffic and began their numerous volunteer activities for the day for a crowd that one official estimated was around 3,000 people.
Shortly after 8:00 AM Chairman Marcus Baldwin opened the festival with a few remarks before handing the official duty over to WMS 6th Grader Lela Baker. Lela presided over the opening ceremonies like a professional, introducing Pastor Russell Hughes for the invocation, Mayor Harold Carpenter for the proclamation officially recognizing the festival, and Mr. Jimmy Macon and the Army Cadets of Fort Rucker for the National Anthem. Also present for the ceremonies were DFS City Marshal Mark Weeks, City Councilman Henry Ennis, Teen Miss DFS Devero Bogart, Miss DFS Shani Thrower, Miss Walton County Kyla Wilkinson, Little Miss DFS Harmony Heitger, and Little Miss Walton County Auburn Frymire.
During the opening ceremonies other members of the committee and volunteers were making sure vendors and children’s activities were in place and open for business, and vehicles were being parked. None of those things stopped throughout the day no matter what was going on. Committee members and volunteers were keeping trash picked up around the huge park, bathrooms stocked with necessities, lines moving, concessions being sold, car show entries being registered, and all the other hundreds of activities that go on behind the scenes. Chairman Baldwin admitted that without all the volunteers (WHS Anchor/Key club members, Johnnie Kay Ealum, school bus drivers, Kendrick Hogans, Mike Burgess, Cleve Gettis, David Reid, Tom Peckham, Paul Streacker, and many more) the day would have been much more difficult. “God blessed me with good people and great volunteers. Without them all of the things that needed to be done today would not have been done.”.
Also going on around the beginning of the festival was the start of the BBQ Contest hosted by Smokey J Café and sponsored by Ritz Foods. Ritz Foods was this years major sponsor of the festival by sponsoring the BBQ Contest. All of the contestants enjoyed themselves and had the delicious smell of barbeque tempting festival goers.
Some of the vendors included Brighthouse, WAKJ Radio, Cary Glen, Primerica, The Gold Chicks, ColorTyme, many government agencies, Libertarian candidate Alex Snitker, Touch of Purple, Silpada, and Steve‘s Wholesale. Tin Tin from Pensacola had alligator shish kabob, there were also many other food offerings like Zee Bee’s Itty Bitty Ice Cream, Sweet Mollies Pure Bread, Faith Masonic Lodge, Ingram’s Catering, and others. Moon’s Concessions had ice cold sno cones and were kept busy providing train rides. Peanut the elephant and the pony rides were HUGE hits the circus had to offer. Visitors of all ages could be seen lined up waiting their turn to ride Peanut. The circus tent provided shade and in the afternoon a wonderful show was presented. It was amazing to see.
In the children’s area there was a waterslide, 3-story dry slide, bungee jumping, a bounce house, and face painting. The inflatable obstacle course raised $977.75 after expenses for the Walton County Marlin’s travel baseball team in their quest for the world series.
There was face painting and hair coloring too! Kids of all ages could be found smiling, laughing, and anxiously awaiting their turn. The dunking booth is always a big hit and this year was no different. 200.00 was raised for the DBPA Fireworks Fundraiser. One of the biggest targets of the day was “Coach Frank” (Steward)!
The stage provided entertainment all day for everyone. After opening ceremonies there was gospel singing provided by Everlasting Word Children’s Praise Team, The Gospel of the Kingdom Worship Choir, Michael Beach (New Birth Fellowship), Everlasting Word Adult Praise Team, and Williams Brothers & Company.
Next the crowd was entertained by The Dancing Divas of the Red Hat Tribe belly dancing and wowed by the WHS Air Force Jr. ROTC Armed Exhibition Drill Team. Shortly after noon Lynne Martin took the stage to sing and get the crowd ready for Shane Owens. Cleve Gettis introduced Shane Owens to an audience who was not let down by his performance.
The festival goers were soon brought to their feet by New Heights Wrestling! They were a sight to see and all eyes were on them, voices were raised in support of the stars, and everyone was treated to a spectacular show.
WHS Coach Jerry Hester hosted a 3 on 3 basketball tournament near where many cars registered for the car show. There were numerous cars from around the panhandle that provided fantastic viewing for spectators. After tallying up the score sheets from car show judges Mayor Harold Carpenter and Councilman Edward Graham – Mike Jones of Defuniak was awarded 1st place and Best Engine with his 1967 Chevy SS Chevelle 396. 2nd place, Best Paint Job, and Best Interior went to a 1967 Chevy SS Camaro owned by Kevin Kile of Crestview. 3rd place was claimed by Valparaiso’s Larry McCain owner of the 1960 Morris Minor Traveler.
There were 4 men’s softball teams that played on two fields for the 4th Annual May Day Festival. Milton, Defuniak Springs, and Georgiana Alabama were represented.
Pocketsk8park.com set up a 10000 square foot skate park that was enjoyed by many near the stage.
Ritz Food Store Greg Weeks, WHS Principal Russell Hughes, and DFSPD Captain Greg Gandy had the difficult task of judging the BBQ ribs and chicken thighs! After sampling the contestants offerings trophies and cash was awarded. In the chicken thigh contest Haley Bass captured 1st place, Kenny McCollough got 2nd, and Jason Leavins took 3rd. In the rib contest 1st place was awarded to Cory Godwin, 2nd place was Kenneth Barton, and 3rd place went to Floyd Martin (Curly J’s BBQ). The grand prize winner was Pleasant Ridge BBQ!
Lee McManus kept the sounds for the festival going all day and shortly after 4:00 DJs began playing to further entertain the crowd. Raffle tickets were drawn and the winners of the WAKJ Shirts/DVDs were Tim Thrower, Robert Chistarson, Skip Williams, and Donna Batson. The autographed Danny Wuerffel Gator Football was Julie Lowery along with Eva Ryznic who won an autographed Emmitt Smith Cowboy picture. The basket donated by Chelco was won by Steve Trotter and the grill donated by Lowe’s was won by Randy F (no last name given) of Freeport. The big winner of the day was Keith Baron who’s ticket was drawn for the diamond cluster ring.
By 8:00 as the festival came to a close committee members, volunteers, and vendors began the final tasks of the day. The softball tournament was still going on and after 13 games Buck Wild from Milton won 1st place, Defuniak’s Lean Mode took 2nd, and Georgiana took 3rd place back to Alabama.
When the lights to the park were turned off around 10:30 Chairman Marcus Baldwin was already thinking about 2011 as he was leaving Gene Hurley Recreational Park.
