1st-Timer Weighs in on the Watermelon Day '06

(Above) Kathryn and Joe get decked out in their new Stanhope duds. Lookin' sharp guys!

This is a guest post from Kathryn Posch and Joe Gauer, from Kansas City, Missouri. They came up with Adam and Sarah Young (and future baby on the way!). This was Joe and Kathryn's first Watermelon Day. After a little bragging about one of the best small town festivals ever, they decided to come up and check out. Kathryn and Joe are getting married in September. Congrats Kathryn and Joe! We'll see you next year!

Hello Planet Earth! This is guest blogger and Watermelon Day First-Timer, Joe. I hail from 5 hours south of Stanhope in northwestern Missouri and decided to make the first of many annual pilgrimmages to the promised land for unique experience. As a long-time watermelon enthusiast, I had thought I'd seen everything when it came to watermelon.

But as we speak, I am knee-deep in every kind of watermelon you could imagine -- seeded, seedless, pink, reddish-pink, and many more varieties I'd love to get in to but just don't have the time. I mugged for several personal photos, but was caught unaware when the press snapped the picture that may or not make it to the cover of the Record News (note: this out of towner almost upset many of you by referring to it as simply the "Stanhope Record News" but found out it covered many area towns thanks to local celebrity Adam Young. My apologies...)

My scorecard for the event:

Watermelon: A+
Ambience: "Slice of the good life" indeed
Kiddie Train Ride: Suprisingly dangerous for someone 6' 200 lbs. (we'll post the "Train Ordeal" later)
Overall experience: Loved it!

That's all from me, see you next year Warrior Nation! Until then, keep it real.