WATERMELON JUBILEE TERREL OKLAHOMA 7-18-09

Every year on the Third Saturday of July, Terrel Oklahoma celebrates with the Watermelon Jubilee. There are arts & crafts booths, a parade, donkey jumps, a street dance, bands, car show, bike show and best of all, they have a refrigerated trailer there with watermelons stacked inside and at noon, they start cutting the watermelon and it's all you can eat, for free. I go to this Jubilee every year, because I am a watermelon fanatic.. So, this year, was not different. Scroll down for a glimpse of the 2009 Watermelon Jubilee in Terrel Oklahoma and REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURE BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE.



Any trip to Terrel Oklahoma is usually started with lunch or dinner at Doug's Peach Tree Orchard, a fabled Catfish restaurant in the North Texas-Southern Oklahoma area. I have been going here since 1977 and I love it. To best describe this place, other than "you're nuts if you don't go there", is this link to an article written in the Wichita Falls Texas Time & Record News by the "Lunch Lady", who does the Restaurant reviews in the North Texas/Southern Oklahoma area: http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2009/jul/03/lunch-lady-peach-orchard-inspires-warm-fuzzies/

Doug's Peachtree Orchard Catfish Restaurant. On the day of the Watermelon Jubilee, this place is packed. Usually three rows of parked cars in the parking lot, motorcycles scattered everywhere and a row or two of vehicles parked across Hwy 81. If you go here and have to park across the road, be careful crossing the Highway to the restaurant. Doug's is located on the West Side of Hwy 81 on a long sweeping left curve (if Northbound) and the speed limit, I think, is still 70 mph..

Once inside we place our order and wait. This is usually a family affair when we go but it was too hot for Janice's parents, Matt (our son) was in Dallas for a wedding & Rangers game and Amanda, (other daughter), was in Dallas for a convention. So that left me and the wife (Janice)and the other daughter (Amy).

me inside the Restaurant

Amy reacts as the catfish order arrives

After stuffing ourselves on catfish, we went into Terrel, on the main drag, for the Watermelon Jubilee. Being originally from a big city, I get a charge out of these small town happenings. Some of the bikes

Some more of the bikes.. Needless to say, this is a very popular event for a lot of bikers. Many of the folks I ride with didn't make it due to an event at Red River Harley Davidson. I know the Harley shop was giving out free hot dogs & coke, but I can't tell you the reason. When it comes to this Watermelon Jubilee, I am oblivious to all the other events. There was a big ride going over to Saint Jo Texas later on this evening that I was going to go on, but when I got home from Terrel, I was full, hot & tired and I took a 6 hour nap. Needless to say, I missed the Saint Jo ride..

The Jefferson County SO was there. I did not see the canine officer or dog. The deputies I did see, were riding around keeping a tab on things, in a golf cart..

Looking down the main drag. For all you big city folks, that dirt looking stuff in the street is horse crap. The parades down here, almost always have horses and horses always eat. So....FYI, and I got this from a friend with experience, do NOT ride thru this stuff on your bike. He said horse crap is some of the hardest stuff to get off when it dries...Ya really have to scrub. I avoid it like the plague. I put up with enough crap without having to spend time scrubbing crap off my bike... I know most bikers won't have too much opportunity to ride thru this stuff, but if you live by or driving thru an Amish area, watch for it because it is everywhere..

This is, apparently, a Ford Roadster of some type. I say that only because of the hood ornament and I couldn't find the owner to ask him.

There were only three bikes in the bike show at the time we were there. However, we passed a few bikes heading that way on our way home and I am sure there were many more by the time the judging was over.

The seat says Saxon. Now, I have only seen one other Saxon bike and that was back in April when I was in Tucson Arizona. I have slept since then and with my CRS, being like it is, I don't know if this is one or not...

Janice & Amy over at one of the arts & crafts tents. This one specialized in painted Texas rocks & Texas Longhorn stuff.

Janice finally got us all one of these cool-ties. It has moisture absorbing crystals inside and you soak it in ice cold water for about 45 minutes before use. It swells up and is COLD and you wrap it around your neck and it keeps you cool. Perfect for riding in these hot temps down here in Texas... or for walking around in these Jubilee places. If you want one, just go to any biker rally or biker accessory shop, they should have them.

Some more of the bikes

At last!! The watermelon table.. They cut the watermelon in four pieces. You get one, eat it and repeat until full.. The watermelon this year was nice and cold and sweet.. I ate four pieces and we bought one watermelon to bring home. It was outstanding!!

The shaded eating area. It was a mess but one I didn't mind at all

While there, I ran into Joel & his wife. Joel is a Vietnam Vet, he holds a CIB as one of his decorations, and he is our VA advocate in the Wichita Falls Texas area. He also did my interview when I joined the Masonic Lodge, many years ago

Another pic of Joel & his wife enjoying some excellent watermelon

Janice tries to get Amy to eat some melon. Amy doesn't like watermelon and her expression shows it..

Amy makes her Dad happy by getting me another piece of watermelon.

As we head back down the street, I took a parting picture of the watermelon table

They were weighing in the different melons for the size/weight contest. This watermelon weighed in at 92 pounds...The thing was humongous!

Any time that Old Glory is waving in all her beauty, and I'm around with a camera, I get her picture!!

The view back down the street to the West where the storms were brewing

hmmmmm...

Still three in the bike show..Last year there were a bunch...

Ever wonder where Elvis went when "He Left The Building"? He went and got one of his cars and he has now arrived here in Terrel Oklahoma in one of his Corvette's

Janice , standing by the truck, buys some watermelon from one of the many vendor's in the area..

Janice and her melons.......................

Me with Janice's melons............Enjoy the pics of me being fat because here in August or Sept I am having that Gastric Bypass thing done and I am gonna get skinny! I see the doc this Tuesday and get my surgery date...

As I am always telling Janice I prefer motorcycles to cars, she makes me ride in the backseat. Amy gives me that "ha ha I got shotgun" look and models her new Dixie Doll cap..

I had a good time today even though I had to travel by cage. Hopefully next year, we can have a Chapter ride or impromptu ride up here and if it's hot, those that want to, can follow us in the cars or trucks.

Scroll down for more rides, events & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of EACH page for more rides and posts. Check out North Texas Bikers (1) at http://www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from January 08-November 08. and North Texas Bikers II at: http://www.jjskewlstuffii.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from Nov. 08-July 09. Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, ride safe, keep the rubber on the road & pray for our Troops & Pattie & Manuel................JOHN