COUNTY LIFE
Forestburg celebrates 40th watermelon festival
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Forestburg celebrated its 40th year for the watermelon festival this past weekend naming winners for the parade and salsa contest.
Organizers said it was different this year as they tried to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines to keep everyone as safe as possible. They sent out appreciation to all the volunteers who helped host the event.
The salsa contest was “COVID-19 correct,” and while it had fewer entries it continues to be a popular event. First place went to Valerie Riley, second to Billie Poirot and third to Helen Steadham.
Parade entries were judged across six categories with each category winner receiving a engraved desk nameplate.
Winners were: Antique autos, Jerry and Kimberly Eckhart with a 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang; riding clubs, Saint Jo Riding Club; commercial entries, Dale White Water Well Service; floats, Deanna Faglie, Old dogs and children and watermelons; antique farm equipment, Donnie Henzler restored 1948 Farmall M cotton harvester and miscellaneous, Precious Memories Carriage Service, Harold and Cindy Bowles, carrying Jim Bowie Days Pioneer Queen Jo Lee and Duchess Helen Steadham.
See more photos in the mid-week Bowie News.
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COUNTY LIFE
July Jam planned for July 27
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The 22nd annual July Jam returns on July 27 to the Bowie Community Center West Hall, 413 Pelham Street in Bowie.
There will be a “chickin’ pickin’ fiddling fun time” as guests will be entertained by amazing fiddling tunes and enjoying a chicken meal with delicious homemade jams because it wouldn’t be July Jam without it.
Tickets are just $15 with the event starting at 6 p.m. The funds raised help provide awards for the Championship Fiddler Competition during Chicken and Bread Days Heritage Festival on Oct. 5.
This attracts talented musicians from all over to visit downtown Bowie to test their fiddling skills on stage in the Bowie Fire Hall on Oct. 5.
Along with the live fiddling entertainment, come hungry and be ready to outbid your neighbors at the silent auction or just stop by for a great meal, fellowship and soak in the air conditioning.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/big-group-of-fiddlers-1024x684.jpg)
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COUNTY LIFE
Nocona Summer Reading welcomes animals, insects
COUNTY LIFE
Nocona City Council reviews budget work
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The Nocona City Council met this past week making plans for budget and tax rate hearings.
Councilors received a brief update on the 2024-25 budget preparations. City Secretary Revell Hardison said the final proposal is almost complete and they now await the arrival of the no-new revenue tax rate that will be reviewed by the council after it is calculated by the tax collector.
The proposal includes a tax rate increase of about 3% similar to last year and there will be a small increase in water and sewer rates, but Hardison said the final crunch on those will come after the tax rate projections arrive.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
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