Hold My Box of Chocolates and Watch This

Lovelady Undeterred by Bad Weather as Lovefest Forges Ahead 

By Jason Jones 

Messenger Reporter 

LOVELADY – A casual observer might say something absurd, such as “Wow. This weather is going to put a damper on the Lovefest… right?” 

Lovelady’s response? “Are you kidding? We deal with this every year! It’s how we do Lovefest!” 

Yes, it is. Lovelady’s biggest annual celebration has been taking place during February for 4 decades. While there may be a rogue spring-like day occasionally, the ability to be flexible might be a lesson this East Texas town could deliver to a worldwide audience. 

I was guilty. After several days in a row of tropical temperatures, a parade time high of only around 40 degrees was a shocker. Many in the area experienced snow later in the day. The next day it was back into the 60s and the sun has not stopped shining since. I thought “Somebody in Lovelady angered the gods. Somebody put ketchup on their steak… or wore white socks with sandals.” 

Not the case. Well… it may have been the case, but it’s simply a fact of life that Lovelady has come to understand: Lovefest is probably going to be cold, wet, muddy, icy or some combination of any or all. 

Lovefest is also a can’t-miss event for all of East Texas. Damp and cold as it may have been, smiles were all about and the people showed up to enjoy an otherwise beautiful event. 

Results for the various competitions are as follows: 

Lovefest Parade –  

Most Unique Float: Antioch Baptist Church 

Best Themed: Rocking T-Shirt Company  

Most Spirited Float: Lovelady FFA 

Most Decorated: Lovelady Youth Baseball & Lovelady Girls Softball Association 

Weldon Civic Club Baking Contest –  

Adult Division  

Iced Cakes – 1^st McKenzie Collier, 2^nd Sean Tapp, 3^rd Chris Bobo  

Candy – 1^st Jo Ann McMillian, 2^nd Theresa Maddux 

Cookies – 1^st Billie Shuh, 2^nd Carol Broxson, 3^rd Carol Broxson 

Uniced Cakes – 1^st Carol Broxson, 2^nd Theresa Maddux, 3^rd Donna Edwards 

Quick Breads – 1^st Carol Broxson 

Youth Division 

Cookies – 1^st Josie Ditoro, 2^nd Peyton McGee, 3^rd Karly Harrelson  

Iced Cakes – 1st Dottie Kate Murphy, 2^nd Peyton McGee 

Candy – 1^st Lillian Ditoro 

Uniced Cakes – 1^st Sarah Ham 

Grand Prize winners – Adult McKenzie Collier, Youth Lillian Ditoro 

BBQ Cookoff –  

Chili – 1^st Damn Yankees, 2^nd Pearson Chapel Ranch, 3^rd Carmona Cookers 

Beans – 1^st Damn Yankees, 2^nd Pandejolicious, 3^rd Smoking & Bar BQ Bandits 

Chicken – 1^st Too Cook to Drunk, 2^nd Texas Trail Tramps, 3^rd Urban Backwoods Cookers 

Ribs – 1^st Damn Yankees, 2^nd No Maintenance, 3^rd Too Cook to Drunk 

Brisket – 1^st Pandejolicious, 2^nd Urban Backwoods Cookers, 3^rd Barely Making It 

Showmanship – Carmona Cookers 

Beauty Pageant – 

Baby Miss: 1^st Kensley Miller, 2^nd Sage Snyder – Baby Mister: 1^st James Sikes, 2^nd Easton Meadows 

Toddler Miss: 1^st Parker O’Saile, 2^nd Addilynn Hanne – Toddler Mister: 1^st Axel Ham, 2^nd Tyler Lookingbill 

Wee Miss: 1^st Katelyn Kennedy, 2^nd Baily Colvin – Wee Mister: 1^st Nicalis Hughes-Grant, 2^nd Zepheriah Pleasant 

Little Miss: 1^st Parker Colvin, 2^nd Paisley Fotheringham 

As posted on the Lovefest Facebook page, “We survived the 40th Annual Lovefest! Thanks to all that braved the weather. We missed out on the blue sky and sunshine…there is always hope for next year though!” 

But rest assured, should the weather take a turn for the worse next year, folks all around the little town on Hwy 19 will show up to celebrate the love. 

Jason Jones may be reached via email at [email protected]