Fireworks, watermelon and politicians mean it’s July 4th

The 4th of July celebration Saturday at the National Peanut Festival fairgrounds held a carnival-like atmosphere with games of chance for the kids, funnel cakes for the hungry, and lots of flag-waving patriotism amid rock music and a watermelon eating contest.

There was also plenty of politicking at the Dothan Kiwanis Club’s third annual Family 4th Celebration, which drew several thousand people. Many came early, when the gates open at 10 a.m., left during the heat of the day and came back at dark for the fireworks display. Cars lined up outside the gates and parking lot was full of tail-gaters, who watched the fireworks from outside the gates.

Many who attended had the chance to shake hands with a politician or six, most of whom braved the scorching sun to campaign and pass out freebies emblazoned with their names.

Kiwanis Club member Robin Rainer, who helped found the event with the City of Dothan to give local people a place to see fireworks, said campaigning seem to fit with the 4th.

“Politicians are part of the tradition of the 4th of July,” said Rainer. “The people seem to enjoy visiting with them and getting free fans, bottled water and ice cream.”

Taylor Barbaree, who is facing opposition in his bid for re-election in District 5, rented a booth for the event in order to meet as many people as he could.
“I felt like it was a good opportunity to get out in front of the public and make them aware of what my campaign is all about,” he said. “It’s a good chance to meet people that I might not have met going door-to-door.”

As visitors walked by his booth just after 5 p.m., District 6 Commissioner Keith Seagle, who is running for mayor, continued to explain his platform to all who would listen. Mostly, he talked about how he “will” cut taxes.

“It’s a great way to reach the every-day people,” he said. “These are good salt-of-the-earth working class people. The yard sale crowd. I consider them my people.”

Seagle passed out plastic yellow hard hats before facing off with his opponent, Mike Schmitz, in a watermelon eating contest. Schmitz took the early lead in the three-round event with his gobble-and-swallow style. School board chairman candidate Gayla White gave him a run for his money, coming in second.

Also participating were District 3 Commissioner Paul Lee, who is up for re-election, Barbaree and one of his opponents, Paul Ferrell, who finished third. Bell Farms of Dothan provided the watermelons.

Nicole Adkins and Brittny McCraney of Dothan didn’t come to hear any political rhetoric or see any melons being eaten. The two brought their daughters, who are about 18 months old, for their first look at fireworks.

“I hope they don’t freak out,” said McCraney, acknowledging the bright flashes of light and loud booms could be intimidating.

“We tried to explain to them what it was about,” Adkins added. “They don’t have a clue.”

Kerry Ferrell with The Main Event, which helped coordinate the event, said about 120 cars competed in the morning car show and another 30 were on display. “It was a big success,” she said.

Arthur Dease sold Italian ice and roasted corn at the event, but said sales were slow. “It’s too hot,” he said. “What we are selling the most of is frozen sweet tea This is South Alabama.”

By late afternoon, Dease had emptied more than 20 gallons of the sweet stuff. “When it gets close to dark, I know more people will come out and sales will pick up,” he said.

Even though temperatures hovered near 100 degrees, Rainer called it a day the weather actually cooperated. The last two years have been either rainy or threatening rain.

“You can get cool a lot easier then you can get dry,” he said.

Many cooled off in air conditioned buildings, found small patches of shade, and slide down the waterslides.

“It’s a good day,” said Rainer.