DeLeon Free Press/ Thursday, August 6, 2015/ Page 1B

Pageant 101st Carnival Parade DeLeon Live Music Annual Watermelons! Peach and Melon

Festival DeLeon, Texas See Schedule of Events inside on Page 10B August 4-8, 2015 Page 2B/ Thursday, August 6, 2015 / DeLeon Free Press Hooker, Trevino play Festival Jake Hooker Thursday night, August 6 Root-n-tootin’ boot- Hooker as a purveyor of the including the Texas Express, scootin’ dancers and country “real country sound.” Country Squires, fans should head out to Hooker’s career in music Night Riders, and the Hooker the DeLeon Festival Stage began in 1967 when he formed Brothers Band, all based in far about 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. a band called the Persuaders. west Texas. In 1976, Hooker 6 to enjoy the sights and sounds Over the following nine years, moved to Dallas and became a of Tommy Hooker, Jake he was a familiar face in the Big regular club act in the Hooker, and Justin Trevino. Bend area, playing in his broth- Metroplex. Raised in Pecos, few Texas er Dwight’s band, known as In 1981, he started the troubadours can say they rival The Bunch, and other groups, Tommy Hooker Band, and began a successful career as a Justin Trevino regional voice throughout west Texas. Through providing an exciting show at every venue, the Tommy Hooker Band has thrived through decades of tour- ing. Today, he is a regular at Pearl’s Dancehall and Saloon in the Fort Worth Stockyards, where he regularly packs the house, and can still be found heading the Tommy Hooker Band at venues all over Texas. He is a “real example of true Texas dancehall music.” influenced by the sounds of . Ferlin Husky, , Also playing in DeLeon Ray Price, , and Trevino began performing Frankie Miller, Amber Digby, Thursday night is Jake Hooker, Farron Young. as a teenager and had his own Georgette Jones, Rance Norton, who was born under the star of He continues to study the band by the time he was in high Ron Williams, and DeLeon’s traditional country music sound of traditional country school. He would make a name own Kimberly Murray. through his father’s west Texas music - at present, he is learning for himself in San Antonio and Trevino has received country band. the steel guitar. Austin by performing in their numerous awards for his pro- Jake began playing the Sharing the stage with key music settings. The young ducing and singing. Currently upright bass at age seven, and Tommy and Jake Hooker on musician, for nine years, he has recorded 11 albums and practiced diligently until he Thursday is another well worked for artists such as plans to keep promoting tradi- mastered the honky tonk sound known area musician, Texas’ Johnny Bush, Don Walser, tional country music as long as and began his own band at age own Justin Trevino. Cornell Hurd, and Darrell there is an audience for it. 14. Traditional country music McCall and still performed Let the juice run By age 18, Jake was a full is more than just a passion for with his own band. time musician. Justin Trevino. This native Trevino recorded his first After studying in South Texan has made a career of albums in his home studio. off your elbow! Plains College’s music pro- singing and producing some of Shortly thereafter, he took an gram, Hooker moved to Fort this state’s talented country engineering and producing Worth, where he quickly artists. Trevino’s passion for position with Heart of Texas became a local favorite. country music can be attributed Records, a newly formed Jake has been strongly to his father and legendary recording label. Trevino has artists such as Johnny Bush and produced both legendary and traditional artists such as Leona Williams, Darrell McCall, Come Join Us Mona McCall, Curtis Potter, Johnny Bush, , for all the fun and excitement of the Norma Jean, Big Bill Lister, Tommy Hooker Bring your forks or spoons, & salt Nanny and Poppies shakers to DeLeon’s 101st Year of DeLeon’s Crafts and Things Come on by while in DeLeon for P&M Festival Peach & Melon Festival the Peach & Melon Festival August 4 thru 8 Open Monday thru Saturday 8am to 4pm August 4-8 during festival week! Nancy and John Johnson Owner/Operator Diane’s Daycare DeLeon Irrigation 290 N. Texas St, DeLeon, Tx 254-734-5845 893-2213 254/893-2123

Hello everyone... Hope to see everyone at ...just calling to make sure you’ re coming to the DeLeon’s 101st Annual 101st Annual Peach & Melon Festival! Peach & Melon Festival!!! Don’ t Miss Out!!! Loads of fun for the whole family! Dodd Auto Parts 254-893-6626

Fill up the car and come on over!!!! Don’t miss the The Peach & Melon Festival is FREE melon the “greatest” slicing Sat. Comanche County Abstract event around. Aug 8, 3PM John E. Gleaton 101 Years of great fun! 106 N. Austin St. • Comanche Downtown 325-356-2564 Gooden 108 W. Navarro, DeLeon DeLeon 254-893-2125 Petroleum Inc. Wake Up! 101 A lot of things have changed in 101 Wake Up! Years & Wake Up! counting!!! Years.... It’s time to head ...But our on over to the invitation is still Peach & Melon sincere and warm. Festival! Be sure and come on over to the 101st Annual Peach and Melon Cooks Fish Barn Festival in DeLeon, Aug 4-8! Between Comanche & Rising Star Bayer Motor Company 842-5409 218 E. Grand, Comanche • 254-893-7200 DeLeon Free Press/ Thursday, August 6, 2015/ Page 3B State Fair Carnival comes to DeLeon for repeat performance

The bigger, brighter, more amusement industry date back Talley, “so you try to get the certain amount of dollars to fantastical “State Fair” carni- more than a century, and best carnival you can. We have spend,” said Talley. “People val will return to DeLeon for today, their children are being a safe, beautiful midway. We expect, when they spend their D&M Laundry the second straight year. The groomed to continue the have strict rules and policies money, that they get the best Talley Amusements carnival Talley Amusement legacy - a and uniformed personnel. This they can get for the buck - the invites everyone to come enjoy the will again be an important legacy that includes not only is a quality operation from the most they can get for the dol- 101st Annual Peach & Melon Festival player in the 101st annual the State Fair of Texas, but the time you come in, and you can lar that they spend for some- DeLeon Peach and Melon Fort Worth Stock Show, and tell that. That sets us apart.” thing extra. I think we can New washers, dryers & Festival, and the festival will numerous large county fairs, Talley added that the bring that back.” again have a midway as grand including the San Diego amusement industry, like “DeLeon is working to a commercial washer for large items. as the occasion that it cele- County Fair and the Ventura many other industries, has get the [Peach and Melon We appreciate your business!! brates. County Fair in California. faced its share of changes in Festival] back to what it used Talley Amusements, “We were born and raised recent years. to be,” added Talley. “And this in this industry,” Mary Talley “There used to be 700 is a start. This is exciting.” told the Free Press, “and we carnivals in the United “Hopefully,” said Talley, OPEN 201 East Hwy 16 love it. This is one of the last States,” said Talley, “and now “people will see when they see DeLeon DAILY family businesses left. We like there’s 250 left, mostly due to the carnival that we are trying what we do, and we know how government regulation. If you to build the Festival back. to do it very well.” want to stay on top, you have That’s my goal.” What sets a Talley to offer services to stay on top, “So come out to the Amusement carnival apart and that’s what we do.” Festival and see and support DELEON’S 101ST from the pack is a sense of Staying on top means put- the carnival,” said Talley. professionalism. ting on a carnival that draws The DeLeon Peach and PEACH & MELON FESTIVAL “You want to have a very people in, said Talley. Melon Festival runs August 4 - exciting, safe midway,” said “I think everybody has a 8. Pageants, Parade, Talley Carnival, Tractor Pull, Free Melon Slicing & More! August 4-8

2012 MISS DELEON. Sabrina Thompson owned by Mary and Tom Talley, is likely best known as Hope you join us for the celebration! an independent contractor for the State Fair of Texas, and Sheetz Mechanical also as the proprietor of the 302 W. Wrights Ave Comanche, Texas 76442 ferris wheel located at Fair Park - a wheel specifically DeLeon 254-893-3191 built for Mary Talley’s father Comanche 325-356-3375 in Italy three decades ago. The Talleys are fourth generation amusement con- tractors on both sides of the Welcome to the family. Their roots in the Welcome to the 101st101st PeachPeach && LET’S MOSEY ON DOWN TO Everyone is going to the MelonMelon Festival!Festival! THE 101ST CELEBRATION OF 101st Annual Peach & Melon Festival! Come in and shop while THE PEACH & MELON FESTIVAL! you are in town. GREAT TIMES FOR EVERYONE! Extended Comanche Livestock hours during the Exchange Festival ! HWY 67/377 East In Comanche, TX Phone 325-356-5231 Sunday-Wed 10am-10pm www.comanchelivestockexchange.com Thur-Sat We would never “exaggerate” about how 10am-Midnight excited we are to celebrate the 101st Annual Peach and Melon Festival!!! Archie Town Beer Barn 608 S. Cato, DeLeon Fun for everyone!!! Come On Out And Collection of Goodies!

Join The Fun!!! Price’s Flowers & Gifts 133 N. Texas • 893-2644 Clark Tractor & Supply 509 W. Navarro • De Leon • 893-2061 1115 Hwy 36 • Comanche• Welcome to DeLeon’s 325-356-2593 101st Year Celebration of the Peach & Melon Festival YEARS & COUNTING!!!

The crew at “Guys & Gals” invites everyone to come celebrate DeLeon’s 101st Annual Peach & Melon Festival!

Karen, Linda, Boba & Meagan 240 S. Texas, DeLeon Member 225 N. Texas, DeLeon 254-893-7770 254-893-2031 FDIC Banking with people you know Page 4B/Thursday, August 6, 2015 / DeLeon Free Press Tractor Pull rumbles through the Festival, Aug. 7-8

Thousands of people local farmer would “tweak” Tractor pull is a Super have.” of television, radio, and for the pull. Adult tickets are are expected to turn out for his tractor, hoping to get National Pull sponsored by The Peach and Melon newspaper advertisements. $20 while children under six the 101st Peach and Melon enough power to beat his TTTPA and OTTPA. Festival Truck and Tractor Be among the thousands enter for free. Pit passes are Festival’s Truck and Tractor competition at the next “Probably, [what makes Pull is successful because of of people to enjoy the Peach $40 for adults and $20 for Pull on the evenings of Sunday tractor pull. this pull different] is that it’s its sponsors, volunteers, and and Melon Festival Tractor children ages 6 and under. August 7 and 8. Bowling Green, the longest consecutive run- the two organizations that Pull on August 7 and 8 Tickets are half price with a According to Festival Missouri and Vaughansville, ning pull in the state of host it, said Royall, who located at the Festival military ID. Secretary Eric Royall, the Ohio saw the first tractor Texas,” said Royall. “We added that the Peach and Grounds on Highway 6 East. Peach and Melon Festival pulling events that used run a dual track format Melon Tractor Pull has been The gates open at 6 p.m. Tractor Pull began in 1974. motorized vehicles in 1929. which few other places marketed through a variety with a 7:30 p.m. start time “It sounded like fun [to However, interest in tractor add the tractor pull to the pulling outside the farming festival],” said Royall. community did not see an “There was some interest in increase until the 1950s and it. Tractor pulling back then 60s. wasn’t real big but at that Initial attempts to point in time they did three- organize the sport of tractor wheeler races. The farmers pulling started in 1969 when would bring the tractors in pullers representing eight and they actually loaded a different states met and cre- tractor onto the sled for the ated a set of regulations weight.” which gave direction to the The roots of tractor sport. The National Tractor pulling began with the farm- Pullers Association was ers of the Midwest in the formed as a result of this late 1800s. Farmers would meeting. brag about how strong their Currently, there are horses were. To prove it, numerous truck and tractor farmers would hitch their pulling associations across horse to a barn door or a the country with a multitude wagon loaded with weight, of members. Each year or even a boulder. The pullers participate in pulls to horse’s owner would then earn points. Each year, the urge the horse to pull the associations will name a weighted object down a puller of the year for each path. The winner would be class based on his or her determined by which horse accrued points, said Royall. pulled the weighted object Pullers for the 101st the farthest. Peach and Melon Festival Like most sports, tractor Tractor Pull are members of pulling has changed with the Outlaw Truck and time. Innovations in the Tractor Pulling Association, farming and auto industries OTTPA, or the Texas Truck have had key roles in the and Tractor Pulling changes that are seen in Association, TTTPA. tractor pulls today. With the The 2015 Peach and progression of time, the Melon Festival’s Truck and

Don’t hide your 101 Years of Fun! head in the Any Way You Slice It sand! It’s time Loads of fun for the whole family! The Peach & Melon Festival is Pageants, free watermelon, for the 101st tractor pull, parade and more! the “greatest” event Annual Peach & DeLeon’s 101st around! Melon Festival! Annual Peach & August 4 thru 8 Doyle’s Performance Machines Jason’s Melon Festival! Terry Barnes Hope to see 207 N. Austin, Comanche 320 CR 445 • DeLeon • 893-5762 Cleaners you all there! 325-356-2528 145 N. Texas, DeLeon

101 Years Hill Gas The Richmond Family welcomes you to the would like to invite everyone of “groovy” to the 101st Annual 101st Annual Peach & Melon Festival fun & Peach & Melon Festival! Good times for the young and thrills! Everyone come young at heart! and enjoy the excitement Wofford’s Used Cars Cade Richmond 200 S. Texas and thrills Hay, Land, & Cattle Company Quality Coastal Bermuda Hay 893-6464 DeLeon of festival week. Replacement Heifers Rural Property Sales 4600 Hwy 6 De Leon, Texas DeLeon 893-2277 Office-254 893 4320/ Cade-325-330-0590 Painting Up the Cross Timbers Community Head on over to the Health & Dental Center 101st Annual Town Peach & Melon for the 101st DeLeon Peach & Melon Festival Invites everyone to the 101st Something for the whole family!!! Aug. 4-8 1100 W. Reynosa St. DeLeon, Tx 76444 605 N. Texas, DeLeon 893-PATE (7283) 254-893-5895 Rollie’sOn Texas 254-893-2591 341 S. Texas, DeLeon DeLeon Free Press/ Thursday, August 6, 2015/ Page 5B Saturday Brings Family Friendly Fun to Downtown DeLeon

The final day of the 101st $25 for those who are 17 or Peach and Melon Festival, younger and $30 for those 18 Saturday, August 8, will be a and older. Runners may also busy day for Festival and register the day of the race. Golden Saturday goers. The 42 Tournament starts DeLeon’s downtown dis- at 8 a.m. at Prado’s Café, locat- trict will host a wide variety of ed at 424 N. Texas in DeLeon. Peach and Melon and Golden This tournament is sanctioned Saturday activities that begin at by the National 42 Association 7 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. and the entry fee for a team is The downtown activities $25. An entry form can be include a 5K “Watermelon found on the DeLeon Peach Crawl” run, a 42 Tournament, and Melon Festival website. the Ex-Student Meeting and The Antique Car Show, Public Spaghetti Lunch, the hosted by the Terrill Antique Seed Spitting Contest and Car Museum, lasts from 9 a.m. Watermelon Slicing, and an to 3 p.m. and will be located Antique Car Show. downtown. There is no cost for The 5K “Watermelon the car show. Crawl” begins the final day of “Last year there were the 101st Peach and Melon about 55 cars in the show,” said Festival with a start time of 7 event organizer Feltz Terrill. “I a.m. and begins on Houston expect to have about the same Street near First Baptist Church. number this year.” This year’s courses have been Terrill has been organizing certified by USA Track and the antique car show for about Field. The Watermelon Crawl seven years. Terrill Antique Car Museum, variety of shopping opportuni- at least the 1920s. Chrysler Jeep of Eastland. has 16 age divisions for both Cars are awarded first located around the S-curve on ties and eateries for those who The Peach and Melon The Carnival by Talley females and males. The top through third place in five dif- Texas Street three blocks north are interested in spending a lit- Festival will conclude this Amusements, Inc. opens at 6 three males and females will ferent classes, according to of downtown. tle extra time visiting. year’s activities at the Festival p.m. and is located on the receive cash prizes. Check-in Terrill. Drawings for door “It’s good for families to Vendors are still needed to Grounds. The gates to the festi- Festival Grounds. for the run is scheduled for 6 prizes will be held for those take kids to car shows,” said help fill downtown. Contact the val grounds will open at 5 The final evening of the a.m. on Saturday, August 9. who have an entry in the car organizer Feltz Terrill. “It gets DeLeon Chamber of o’clock. There is a nominal fee 101st Peach and Melon Truck Runners may register by visit- show. them interested in antique cars.” Commerce at (254)893-2083 to enter the gates. and Tractor Pull begins at 7:30 ing the Peach and Melon Those interested in classic Golden Saturday begins at for details. Festival website. The cost is cars are also invited to visit the 9 a.m. downtown, providing a The Frozen Flames, Carol Hogner, and Cheyenne Holt will provide live music from DeLeon Free Press-Golden Saturday Stage. Hank 92.1 FM will also be broadcasting live from a booth near City Hall. DeLeon High School will be the site of the Ex-Student Meeting and the Public Spaghetti Lunch starting at 10 a.m. and noon, respectively. Douglas Box, DeLeon High School Class of 1965, will be this year’s featured speaker. The afternoon’s activities The Gospel and Bluegrass p.m. and is located at the begin with the free Seed Concert begins at 6 p.m. at the Tractor Pull Arena on Highway Spitting Contest located down- Festival Stage. Numerous 6 on the east end of the Festival town under the red light at 1 artists will be performing, Grounds. p.m. including Beverly Crocker, The 101st Peach and The Seed Spitting Contest McKenzie Jones, Cheyenne Melon Festival will conclude is sponsored by the DeLeon Holt, Joseph Cisneroz, Tim with the naming of Miss Free Press and usually draws a Martin and Cow Creek DeLeon at 10:30 p.m. at the long line of contestants. There Bluegrass. Festival Stage. are divisions for both children There will be no charge for DeLeon invites festivval and adults. the gospel and bluegrass con- goers of all ages to visit the The current seed spitting cert other than the $3 admission 101st Peach and Melon Festival record was set at the Peach and fee charged at the gate. The and Golden Saturday on August Melon Festival on August 12, gospel concert is presented by 8. 1995 by Jason Schayot at a dis- Blake Fulenwider Dodge tance of 75’ 2”. This distance eclipsed the previous record of Come let the juice 68’ 9” which was set in Luling in 1989. The free Watermelon run down your elbow! Slicing will begin downtown at 3 p.m. Join us at Photographic evidence dates the Peach and Melon DeLeon’s Festival watermelon slicing to 101st Annual Happy Days Are Here Again! Peach & Melon Come get your free slice of It’s always fun when old friends meet Festival! ice cold watermelon at the at the Peach & Melon Festival! Finger lickin’ good! 101 Years Strong!!!! 101st Annual Shoppin’ Peach & Melon Festival! Baskit Fast Friendly Service, Fresh Meat Market, Fresh Maroon & White Car Wash Produce, Everyday Low Prices! Open 7am-10pm 7 Days a Week Behind the Dairy Queen First United Methodist Church 607 N. Texas, DeLeon Owners: Autry & Peggy Andress South Hwy 16, DeLeon 893-6155 893-6767

Gas up the car and come on down to the biggest celebration in town!!! Welcome to the DeLeon’s 101st 101st Annual Annual Peach & Melon Festival Peach & Melon Festival!! Everyone Invited! Nowlin Anders 254-968-2112 Funeral Home 1493 South Loop Stephenville 340 S. Austin, DeLeon 254-893-2021 Page 6B/Thursday, August 6, 2015 / DeLeon Free Press Spencer’ s Water Well Service History of the Peach and Melon Festival

Welcomes you to the 101st three letters to the editor in the the newspaper reported that Peach & Melon Festival! DeLeon Free Press were writ- 5,000 people attended the slic- ten by Patterson about having ing even. The largest melon one in DeLeon the next year, in was turned in to Guaranty State Tons of fun for everyone! 1922. Bank and weighed 65 pounds In 1922, 40 grower associ- and 5 ounces. ations around the state planted The Free Fall Fair, also John Spencer 254-893-2404 watermelons, formed a state sponsored by the YMBL, held exchange, and signed a contract on November 6-8 of that same assuring shipment and sale of year was billed as the “4th Big Need your pet to look his best for the melons through the exchange. Free Fall Fair,” which would The local melon growers seem to indicate that the fair, 101st Peach and Melon Festival? made the City of DeLeon a the first of which was held in proposition. The growers 1914, was not an annually Bring him in for a would furnish the melons if the staged event. City would advertise the melon One of a series of “pep” quick makeover slicing and clean up after it. articles leading up to the 1923 and pampering! The City accepted the proposi- Fall Fair told how DeLeon in The DeLeon Peach & from Breckenridge said he tion and large crowds have that year was facing the best 101 Paw Prints Parlor years Melon Festival celebrates the would take two carloads. At been attending the slicing ever financial conditions it had expe- 893-4664 101st edition of what has this same meeting, Patterson since. rienced for many years. A “pret- become one of the premier and a Mr. Foote from Duster A “second annual” melon ty good” crop of cotton and a community events in north cen- were voted to be sent to slicing sponsored by the “wonderful” price for the same Welcome to the 101st Annual tral Texas. Weatherford to find good DeLeon Farm Bureau and the promise of a “mighty The Festival, as we know watermelon seed and to learn Watermelon Growers and the good crop of peanuts and an it, took 30 years to evolve from about fertilizing, cultivating and Young Men’s Business League equally good price” had the Peach & Melon Festival!! three or more different events marketing melons. was held on August 15, 1923. area’s spirits in good order. The held on a more or less annual basis in DeLeon. The first of DeLeon’s annual celebrations was called the Free Fall Fair which began in 1914. It is the event from which the current numbering of the Peach & Melon Festival is based. A fire destroyed the build- ing housing the DeLeon Free Buy 1 Mini Blizzard Press offices in July of 1923, and took with it all archived and Get 1 FREE!!! copies of the newspaper prior to that time, making research of the Free Fall Fair prior to that time difficult, if not impossible DeLeon Dairy Queen at this late date. 508 N. Texas, DeLeon 893-6804 A letter written in June 1964 by L.B. Patterson to C.H.  Locke, however shed some      light on the watermelon slicing tradition in DeLeon before the fire. Patterson said that in 1921 watermelons were planned and planted on a commercial basis. While in Weatherford, The newspaper boasted that article continued, “Lots of feed Unfortunately, the melons were Patterson was invited to come Slicing Day will become to stuff in the barns of DeLeon white-hearted, which limited back to a watermelon slicing. DeLeon what the Turkey Trot growers, hogs browse over the their commercial value. So, Patterson, along with his was to Cuero. fields and pick up waste, A meeting was held in father and brother, returned to That 1923 melon slicing turkeys by the thousands will which a vote was taken to not experience a watermelon slic- had 1,000 melons scheduled to be marketed here, there is a sell the watermelons, but a man ing and were so enthused that be consumed beginning at 4:30, crop of pecans with a fine price following the awarding of in prospect, and a general sprin-  prizes for the largest melons kle of other farm articles for  turned in to various sponsoring sale from the farms.”     merchants, an address by M.E. Carpenters were put to Hays, former Horticultural work preparing an “immense       Department head at Texas hall” to house the exhibits in the A&M, and a ball game. A box- old Farmers’ Union warehouse,      ing match on a platform erected which for many years, was used  in the middle of main street fol- as a peanut warehouse by the lowed the melon slicing. Other DeLeon Peanut Company. It is    !"#$% " planned events scheduled located just east of the peanut included wrestling matches, mill. “Already a number of sack races, fat ladies races workmen are busy cleaning the (maybe), egg races, potato interior and preparing for the races, cracker eating contests, carpenters to begin the stands and other such events as might and pens to house exhibits We Are Celebrating!!! be contrived. See History page 7 The August 17 edition of

Come jjoiin us ffor an eveniing off ...or Howdy Ya’ll!! more Gospell Siingiing on Satturday niightt and coffee house

d eleon,texas We would like to invite a wonderffull ttiime on Gollden Satturday you to the biggest at the 101st Annual Peach celebration around! August 101 Years of the & Melon Festival 4-8 Peach and Melon Festival! 101 Years of Loads of fun for the DeLeon’s Peach & whole family! Hours: Mon-Wed and Saturday 7am-3pm Melon Festival Thurs and Friday 8am-8pm Come on over. Aug 4-8 Golden Saturday Special: 254-893-8022 Buy 1 specialty Coffee, Stockmans get 2nd one free Pat’s Auto Sales 166 N. Texas, DeLeon, Tx 932 W. Navarro, DeLeon Tx 801 W. Blackjack • Dublin, Texas 76446 to the Come visit old friends & make new ones at the 101st Annual Peach and Peach & Melon Festival stiva August 4-8 Fe l!

Perfect Touch Embroidery DeLeon Health Mart Pharmacy 109 E. Reynosa Ave DeLeon, Tx 254-893-7844 254-893-2666 309 S. Texas, DeLeon DeLeon Free Press/ Thursday, August 6, 2015/ Page 7B HISTORY Enjoy the Festival! From page 6B Have you heard the “news”? ranging all the way from Klux Klan near the conclusion also held their semi-annual con- ly in late June due to health rea- Shorthorn bulls and Poland of the 1923 Fair. It was several vention in DeLeon’s City Hall. sons. It was described in the It’s the China hogs, to ladies Lingerie years before the Fair returned as Pecan and poultry exhibitors newspaper as a loss that would 101st Year and perfumed pickles.” an annual event in DeLeon. from a wide area in Texas came be difficult to overcome and the of the A large opening day The Fair was merged into the to the event. Admission was remaining board is at a loss to parade with entries from practi- Festival in 1936. free to both events. know how to proceed. No one Peach cally every business in town Research in the newspaper By 1928, efforts were was immediately elected to & Melon and many surrounding commu- archives, however, reveals that again underway to stage anoth- take Hampton’s place as head Festival nities and schools was planned. the YMBL came together two er community fair. A Fair of the Fair Board. A subcom- The Donald McGregor years later and sponsored Board was formed and in May mittee was formed to seek a August 4-8 Carnival would provide some another produce fair in a contest was held to come up place of 10-30 acres where the Fair might have a permanent Come celebrate with us! home. The first three days in October were targeted as the dates for the Fair. By late July 1928, howev- Andrea’ s Cutting Edge er, efforts to locate a suitable 808 N. Johnson, DeLeon 893-6091 location for the Fair were judged to have failed and the Fair was called off. The Great Depression Come on over and join began in the following year and seemed to grow worse with us for the biggest each succeeding year. Despite celebration around! the difficult economic times, however, another large melon slicing was staged on August DeLeon’sDeLeon’s 101st101st 24, 1932, when a crowd esti- mated to 4,000 strong came for Peach & Melon the free melons. The commit- tee had planned to cut the mel- Festival ons along the west side of the of the entertainment for the November of 1925. Rather than with a name for the event. street in the shade only. But Fair. McGregor himself must being billed as the Free Fall Some of the entries included, when this space was filled, it have been one of the interesting attractions, being described as a big-hearted, jovial Scotchman, nearly 8 feet in height and 6/16 Liquor weighing almost half a thou- sand pounds. An old fashioned dance was planned for the DeLeon City Hall complete Hwy 6 West, DeLeon 254-893-7642 with an orchestra. Horses and mules weighing less than 1,000 pounds were to be raced by boys age 15 and under through the roped off streets in town. Area farmers and their Welcome to DeLeon’s 101st wives were urged to bring in examples of their produce for exhibits and judging and to pro- Peach & Melon Festival!! vide items for decoration of the exhibit halls. One certain DeLeon woman, wife of one of the most progressive farmers in the entire DeLeon section, told the Free Fall Fair secretary she expected to exhibit not less than 250 different items from the GGrreeaatt ffuunn ffoorr farm in the fair. Fair Secretary Edmondson then asked the Free Press to make one rule tthhee wwhhoollee ffaammiillyy!! clear, which is to apply to the individual farm exhibit contest, and that is that only articles of food, clothing, fuel or other arti- Fair, however, it was now DeLeon Progressive Fair, was found necessary to place cles of real value to mankind referred to as the Pecan and DeLeon Pep Fair, DeLeon them along the entire east side will be counted. In other Poultry Show. Actually they Community Fair, DeLeon also, and the row of watermel- HWY 6 CAFE words, cockelburrs, grass burrs, were two separate events, with Bluebonnet Fair, Farmers & ons extended around the cor- or other similar material may be the Poultry show being billed as Merchants Fair and DeLeon ners of the block into the side “Great Eating Place In Town” freely used for decorative mate- DeLeon’s “fifth annual” and Sanitary Fair. In the end, the street. 700 melons were cut, rial in the booths (if the individ- the concurrent pecan show name DeLeon Annual Fair was and most had been iced. 410 W. Navarro ual considers them decorative), being the Brazos Valley Pecan selected. but they having no value to Show, the “First Pecan Show in C.C. Hampton, who was 254-893-7766 mankind, will not be counted as Texas.” The Brazos Valley president of the Fair Board, a product of the farm. Pecan Growers Association however, had to resign sudden- See History page 8B The Comyn community exhibit won the first place prize Olam Edible Nuts at the fair, followed by Round Dublin, Texas 254-445-4021 Split Endz Grove, a “close second,” then Sidney and the Concord. H.F. would like to welcome each and every one to 140 S. Texas St 254-893-8055 Short won the individual farm DeLeon’s 101st annual Peach & Melon Festival. contest, followed in turn by Haley , Tonya , G.L. Lee, E.S. Stewart and J.S. Great place to be August 4th thru 8th Nance. Mr. Short won a $75 for entertainment and visiting with old friends! Rhonda and Erica John Deere cultivator. The mystery article stated invites everyone to drop in that the Fair continued intermit- while visiting the 101st Annual tently from its 1914 beginning until 1936. It was briefly inter- Peach & Melon Festival rupted during World War I and Cuts & Styles, Colors, the Desdemona oil boom, but its largest interlude came after Manis & Pedis, Wax an unanticipated and resented ride through town by the Klu

Invites everyone to Welcome to the 101st Annual drive a few miles down the road to Peach & Melon the 101st Annual Festival!! Peach & Melon Special Deals Throughout Festival Week Festival! Live broadcast Golden Saturday by August 4-8, 2015 KWBY with FREE Pizza, Dublin Bottling FARM, RANCH Works drinks, lots of discounts & DAIRY & giveaways. CREDIT SPECIALIST

Scarlet Ibis 1197 W. S. LOOP STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS 156 North Texas, DeLeon 254-893-4247 254-965-3151 Page 8B/Thursday, August 6, 2015 / DeLeon Free Press Enjoy the Festival! HISTORY From page 7B Come join us at the 101st Annual roughly 320,000 melons sold that summer, which in the days Peach & Melon Festival of the Depression was windfall of enormous proportions. When the farmers and busi- nessmen of DeLeon realized Chris’ the economic impact of the Watermelon Festival and the crop itself, its future growth Place was assured. Later that year, the Free Fall Fair kicked off three days 400 S. Texas, DeLeon of events featuring baseball, football, a rodeo, and fun night 254-893-3007 featuring the Ranger Tickville Band, an American Legion comedy band which was said to provide “screaming funny Stop in and grab yourself a sub music and clog dancing.” As the Free Press A parade kicked off the all the major newspapers the Even so the 1935 sandwich to go along with your slice of described it, “It was a feast fit celebration. It began at the cor- following day. Watermelon Festival, billed as melon while visiting the for kings. But there were no ner of the Travelers Hotel and By the time Allred had fin- the “Eighth Annual Festival,” ‘kings’ present only a good- headed north for only a block ished speaking, the scheduled continued to grow, with 7,500 101st Annual Peach & Melon Festival! natured throng of home folks before turning west toward the hour for the melon slicing had people attending on the first and their visitors who jostled compress site. long since passed and the event day alone. A combination that can’t be beat!!! each other, swapped opinions The coronation of Queen had to be postponed until the The premier event at the Lone Star Shell about when the depression will Naomi Caraway and King final day. The Merrymakers Festival was Burris Mill’s end, and ate watermelon.” Cecil Cook featured one of the Orchestra provided dance Lightcrust Doughboys, which “n” Subway In August 1934, plans outstanding performances in music for the rest of the included both Bob Wills and were made for “DeLeon’s first Festival history. Miss Mary evening. W. Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel, the annual Watermelon Festival” Parker of Fort Worth enter- An estimated 10,000 peo- man who would follow Jimmy to run August 7-9. tained the crowd with dance ple attended the three day event Allred into the Texas 100 E. Navarro, The town spruced itself and song. Miss Parker became up, placing 50 American flags a noted Broadway star and DeLeon along main street. appeared in several films under 893-5656 For the first time a queen the name “Pumpkin Parker.” was chosen. Any girl living The Coronation was followed within 10 miles of DeLeon by a grand march and ball. could be nominated for 50 Timing is everything, and cents at any of DeLeon’s three DeLeon just happened to have Hello Folks!!! drug stores. Naomi Caraway the Festival between the pri- was the eventual winner, taking mary and general elections. We are sending you a special invite to the honors at a “pep rally” held On Wednesday the 8th, Merton at the fair grounds on the first Harris was scheduled to speak our big birthday party night of the Festival. to the assembled crowd on the The old cotton compress candidacy of William McGraw for the Peach & was used for the first time as for Texas Attorney General the location of the Festival and when the incumbent Attorney Melon Festival! later that year served as the site General and candidate for 101 Years & of the Free Fall Fair. A 2,300 Governor, James V. Allred, volt electrical power line was accompanied by entourage of counting!!! run to the compress and an newspaper men from Houston, improvised auditorium was Fort Worth, and Austin arrived. built under the western part of A luncheon was quickly Wright the compress shed for the coro- put together at the Travelers nation, dances and concerts. Hotel with Mayor F.T. Daniell and the impact on the DeLeon Governor’s mansion. Play Irrigation Surprisingly, circum- serving as host. After the meal, economy was significant. The DeLeon, get elected Governor. stances surrounding the first everyone headed for the Fair cafes, hotels and service sta- More importantly, the Hwy 6 West three day edition of the Festival grounds where General Allred tions all reported a minimum Festival paid for itself in 1935, resulted in large crowds and addressed the largest crowd he 30% increase in business dur- apparently the first time any of DeLeon outstanding publicity and it had encountered on his tour. ing the week. the three annual DeLeon 893-2018 seemed to propel the Festival Reports of the Festival, the Over $35,000 were See History Page 9B forward. crowd and his speech were in received from the sale of the

Let the juice run Come Celebrate the 101st Peach & Melon Festival off your elbow! FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!!!! DeLeon Auto Supply 200 N. Texas DeLeon Bring your forks or FAMILY UR & F spoons, & salt YO RI G EN IN D shakers to DeLeon’s R S B to the 101st Annual P&M Festival Peach & Melon Festival! August 4 thru 8 Golden Bobby Butterfly Winkles 118 N. Patrick Dublin, Texas Construction

254-842-8167 300 Comanche Dr DeLeon F Celebrating EARS of the u !!! 101 Y n for all Peach and Melon Festival August 4th thru 8th DeLeon is the Place for FUN Queen’s Pageant, Especially Parade, Tractor Pull, FREE during the Watermelon Slicing & more.

Come Join the Fun!! Aug 4-8 Welcome Visitors!!

DeLeon Nursing & Rehab 6100 Hwy 16 S, DeLeon • 893-1000 809 E. Navarro, DeLeon • 893-2075 DeLeon Free Press/ Thursday, August 6, 2015/ Page 9B HISTORY From page 8B the first noted Festival refer- held in the midst of a bumper Happy 101st ences with “Peach” in front of crop of both peaches and mel- “Melon” was in an advertise- ons. Melon growers were ship- Birthday, Peach & ment for W.E. Howell’s Men ping 150 truckloads a day dur- and Boys Clothing in the July ing the Festival. The Star- 28, 1938 Free Press. Telegram dubbed DeLeon the Melon Festival In 1940, however, the “Fruitbasket of Texas” and Free Press began referring to 10,000 were said to have LJJ Antiques/ Collectibles the event variously as the attended the melon slicing and Estates bought and sold Peach-Melon Festival or the other events on the final day of Specializing in Estate Tag Sales Melon-Peach Festival, in vari- the Festival. 254-445-2911 • 254-967-8506 ous issues and articles. Few realized it would be The Festival grew dramat- the last day of the Festival for ically from 1936 through 1941. several years, however. The Watermelon and peach produc- attack on Pearl Harbor and the Bring Your Spoons and Salt tion grew along with the advent of the Second World Festival. In 1940, the Fort War put the Festival on hold And Join Us For The Biggest Worth Star-Telegram reported until 1947. that “a record single loading of With the young men “FREE” Watermelon Slicing 90,000 pounds of watermelons returning home many moving was weighed out for truck ship- to new jobs in large cities and In Texas! ment to Canyon City, everyone trying to establish a Colorado. sense of normalcy, it took vir- Saturday, August 8th - 3PM During the season... tually every civic organization DeLeon will ship out approxi- in DeLeon to restart the Main Street in DeLeon events had managed to cover and Peach Festival as mately six million pounds of Festival in 1947. But, just as all the associated costs. DeLeon’s leading annual DeLeon’s Peach & Melon Festival watermelons... Quite as impos- planned, Mayor F.T. Daniell There was also one more event. With it success growing ing is the movement of peach- crowned Jean Robinson as change in 1935. During the rapidly, the various organiza- es... no less that 90 to 100 Queen and the Festival was off Comanche County Tractor year, the DeLeon Fruit tions in town decided to perma- truckloads... is the daily aver- and running again. Growers Association was nently discontinue the 256 N. Texas, DeLeon age.” The community expect- From its revival following formed with W.H. Smith elect- Livestock Show and the Free ed to receive $600,000 from World War II, the Peach & ed president. The Watermelon Fall Fair and merge those the sale of peaches, melons, Melon Festival has continued Festival was now also promi- events into the Watermelon and tomatoes, and cantaloupes, far uninterrupted. It has taken Take a break and head on over nently featuring peaches in its Peach Festival. The Festival exceeding the $35,000 of only many hours of hard work and judging and was now some- took over several of the pro- six years earlier. personal sacrifice for that to DeLeon’s 101st times being referred to as the grams from the Fair and In fact, DeLeon’s peaches “small but loyal band of Watermelon and Peach Livestock show, but keyed its ended up in the White House in DeLeon citizens” who have Peach & Melon Festival! Festival, or the Melon-Peach events on the Texas Centennial 1940. Ex-Congressman annually met, organized and Festival. Celebration. Blanton was visiting the Smith entertained this part of Texas The outstanding growth of In 1936, 1937, 1938, and Fruit Farm and was so for one hot week each summer. the Watermelon Festival shift- 1939, the now combined event impressed with the peaches A special thanks goes out August 4-8 ed the emphasis of the Free Fall was generally referred to in the that he shipped a half-bushel to the hundreds who have Fair. The parade was dropped newspaper as the Fair-Festival, each to President Roosevelt, worked and provided DeLeon and the entertainment was a or even the Fall Fair, although Vice President Garner, and with 101 years of fun! circus, dancing, and a football it was staged in early August. Postmaster General Farley. The game between Desdemona and The official program of President requested another Comyn. the 1938 Festival, however, half-bushel. The year 1936 marked the referred to itself as the DeLeon In 1941, the Festival was emergence of the Watermelon Melon-Peach Festival. One of

Have you heard the “news?” DeLeon is celebrating Comanche Appliance Brand Source 101 Years of the Peach Robert Cobb - Owner 325-356-2050 & Melon Festival!!! See you there!!!

Happy 101st Come on down and join us!! Birthday! C-S Pipe & Steel 6 mi N. of DeLeon on Hwy 16 254-893-3638 Mo’s Pecan House 125 E. Bivar Prados Mexican Cafe DeLeon 424 N. Texas, DeLeon Happy “101st” 254-893-3910 Birthday to Says, “Come to DeLeon’s 101st Peach & Melon Festival!” Come to the 101st Fun for the whole family. Peach & Melon Festival 254-893-6685

We welcome all Visitors!!! “As your family grows, so does your life insurance City of needs.” We’re Celebrating 101 years of DeLeon’s Peach & DeLeon Melon Festival

140 N. Texas • Larry Simpson 893-2065 501 S. Texas, DeLeon State Farm Life Insurance Company 254-893-6555 Home Office Bloomington, Illinois

www.cityofdeleon.org Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

See you at the Won’t you P&M Festival! join us? We’re always glad to It’s loads of fun and DeLeon Veterinary Clinic you get to see new West on Sipe Springs Road, DeLeon • 893-2225 and old friends! WELCOME Bring up the cows, finish your chores... Old Friends & Neighbors ...its time to head on over to DeLeon for their during the 101st Annual Peach & Melon Festival 101st Annual Peach & Melon Festival August 4-8 Pageants, Parade, Talley Carnival, Tractor Pull, Food Vendors, Free Watermelon & More BAYER Something for Everyone!!!! FORD - MERCURY, INC. Dublin Livestock Auction LLC Comanche, Texas fordvehicles.com 9862 ESH. Hwy 6 • Dublin, Tx. 254-445-1754 1-877-356-2707 or 325-356-2777 Clay Wing - Owner Page 10B/Thursday, August 6, 2015 / DeLeon Free Press 101st101st DeLeonDeLeon PeachPeach andand MelonMelon FestivalFestival andand TractorTractor PullPull AugustAugust 4-84-8 Tuesday, August 4

3:00 p.m. Queen Candidate Tea DeLeon Study Club 5:00 p.m. Festival Grounds Gates Open Festival Grounds 7:00 p.m. Selection of Little Miss Festival Stage 9:30 p.m. Selection of Queen Festival Stage Wednesday, August 5

11:00 a.m. Judging of 4H Cake Entries Festival Stage 12 Noon Judging of Peach Desserts Festival Stage 1:00 p.m. Judging of Melon and Fruit Entries Festival Stage 5:00 p.m. Festival Grounds Gates Open Festival Grounds 7:00 p.m. Street Parade Starts Downtown 8:30 p.m. Kids Tractor Pulls Festival Grounds 9:00 p.m. Melon and Cake Auction Festival Stage Thursday, August 6 5:00 p.m. Festival Grounds Gates Open Festival Grounds 8:00 p.m. Jake Hooker and Justin Trevino Concert Festival Stage Friday, August 7 5:00 p.m. Festival Grounds Gates Open Festival Grounds 7:30 p.m. Tractor Pulls OTTPA TTTPA Tractor Pull Arena 9:00 p.m. Los Pasajeros ($10.00 at gate 13 and under free) Saturday, August 8

7:00 a.m. 5K “Watermelon Crawl” Downtown 8:00 a.m. 42 Tournament Starts Prado’s Cafe 9:00 a.m. Golden Saturday Starts Downtown 10:00 a.m. Ex Student Meeting DeLeon High School 12 Noon Public Spaghetti Lunch DeLeon High School 1:00 p.m. Seed Spitting Contest Main Street Downtown 3:00 p.m. Free Watermelon Slicing Main Street Downtown 5:00 p.m. Festival Grounds Gates Open Festival Grounds 6:00 p.m. Gospel and Bluegrass Music Festival Stage 7:30 p.m. Tractor Pulls OTTPA TTTPA Tractor Pull Arena 10:30 p.m. Presentation of Miss DeLeon Festival Stage

Let’s All Go Hitch up the team and come on down to the Grown To Perfection!! To The 101st 101st Annual Peach and Melon Festival! 101st Year of DeLeon’s Peach & Melon Festival! Peach & Melon Come on over and join us! Festival! Farley Farm Supply

Lots of fun & Paws & excitement for the Claws Womack Nursery whole family! 124 W. Bivar, DeLeon 254-893-6067 2551 Hwy 6 • DeLeon 893-6497

Let’s all travel to DeLeon We are celebrating Win “big” at the for their 101st Annual 101 Years of the 101st Annual Peach Peach & Melon Festival! Peach & Melon Festival & Melon August 4th thru 8th Festival AAuugguusstt 44tthh tthhrruu 88tthh See you there!!! Plenty of good cold Queen’s contest, tractor pull, Callison Pump Beth’s Hair watermelon to go around! lots of watermelon, good food, & more! Sales & Service Fashion Johnny’s Paint Frontier Boot & Shoe Service Lannes Callison Beth Callison DeLeon 441 Preston, DeLeon 122 W. Central • Comanche 893-3727 893-6388 & Body Shop 325-356-3983 500 S. Texas, DeLeon

During the 101st Peach & Melon Festival the Come join us at COGBURN REAL ESTATE DeLeon’ s welcomes everyone to the DeLeon 101st Chamber of Commerce Peach & Melon Festival Annual Peach Invites you to attend ************************* & Melon Festival Golden Saturday A. E. Cogburn 1954-1979 Delton Cogburn 1958-2003 Saturday, August 8th ~ 9a.m.-3p.m. Ray 1975-2015, Byrl 1990-2015 Main Street DeLeon, Texas 101 Years of Sweet & Juicy Fun! Selling DeLeon & Surrounding Counties Continuously Since 1954, Stikbows And We Want to Sell Yours. CALL US Classic Car Show • Live Music Custom Cabinets & Furniture Food & Vendor Booths and More 291 N. Texas, DeLeon • 254-842-1075 893-6666 • 893-7888 Fax 916 Texas St. • DeLeon Call 254-893-2083