Thousands turnout for Kiwanis Club of Dothan Family 4th Celebration

Tara Ford and her fiance, James Hall, marked a spot for their family Sunday afternoon at the National Peanut Festival grounds as they spread their towels and blankets across the grassy field for a good view of the fireworks show.

The couple attended the Kiwanis Club of Dothan Family 4th Celebration with her two children, Jason and James, both 7 years old, and their friend Amir. Ford said the boys especially enjoyed the kids inflatables and water slides.

“It’s our first time and we love it. If they have it next year we’ll be back. We like the children being free, it makes it more affordable,” Ford said. “We’ve met a lot of different people, and they have a lot of good vendors with a variety of food.”

Ford said the family ate some cotton candy and nachos, and the boys even competed in the watermelon eating contest.

David Bell, of Bell Farms, said his family’s farm donated the watermelons for the second annual watermelon eating contest. Bell said the winner will be declared based on whoever eats their slice of watermelon the quickest. Bell said the contest included children and a special competition between local politicians running for office.

“Everybody always associates watermelon with the Fourth of July,” Bell said. “That’s what we do is grow produce, and watermelon is one of our specialties. It’s something my family has always farmed.”

Gary Johnson, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Dothan, said the top three competitors of the watermelon eating contest received medals provided by the Kiwanis Club of Dothan.

“We put it on to be a fundraiser and all the leftover money will be distributed to a charity,” Johnson said of the Family Fourth celebration.

Jeremy Griswold, of Ozark, who attended with his wife, Amanda, said he planned to ride the train around the grounds with his three children but changed his mind when he saw the watermelon contest underneath a tent. Five-year-old Emilee Griswold watched as her older brother and sister, Kaden, 6, and Megan, 8, ate watermelon as fast they could.

“We do something every year on the Fourth of July, and this is great,” Jeremy Griswold said. “We’ll probably do this every year from now on. There’s lots of activities for the kids, and we’re looking forward to the fireworks show.”

Kerry Farrell, the owner of The Main Events that coordinated the celebration with the Kiwanis Club of Dothan, said they try to add a new attraction each year. Added for 2010 was a reptile exhibit, which had three shows throughout the day featuring reptile expert Bruce Shwedick and several reptiles, including a yellow-footed tortoise, an anaconda and a rhinoceros iguana.

The fireworks show, a car show, a line-up of several live bands, kids inflatables, water slides, the reptile program and other attractions were all included in the $10 ticket price for adults. Children 12 and under were free of charge.

“We started it because we didn’t have fireworks here in Dothan,” Farrell said of the celebration, which is in its fourth year. “We’ve had over 10,000 each of the last three years, and I don’t see why this year would be any different.”