Lovelady Takes Spotlight at 41st Annual Lovefest

ByGreg Ritchie

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

LOVELADY – The 41st Annual Lovefest festival was held in Lovelady Saturday, Feb. 11 with the theme “Moonlight Serenade.” Lovefest drew a good crowd this year, opening with the traditional parade and finishing with the country and western dance at the old gym. 

The parade this year suffered from no rain and the weather for the most part supported the community festival although the February wind could bite a little after a while. First responders from around the area along with local businesses, all of the Lovefest court and school groups such as the band and FFA made their way through Lovelady throwing candy and good wishes to the throng lining the streets. 

The ever-popular baby contest was held behind the Lovelady Baptist Church where the amount of parents, grandparents and beautiful babies threatened to overwhelm the space provided. 

Near the old gym, the smell of smoking meats of all shapes and sizes wafted through the air as teams from near and far worked on their entries for the barbecue contest. There were vendors of all kinds from the Lovelady Masonic Lodge to live music and food of every kind. 

Inside the old gym itself sat a bazaar of candles, homemade gifts of wood, Lovelady swag gear from several years of Lovefest and clothing for all ages. Later the gym was cleared for the Saturday night dance featuring local favorite “Loose Gravel”. 

The best in parade for Lovefest 2023 were announced as follows:

  • Most Unique – 1923 Model T, Randy Elder
  • Best in Show – 1939 Ford Deluxe Coupe, Mike Worthington
  • Best Cowboy – Jacob & Paul Mattern
  • Best Cowgirl – Josey Mattern
  • Best Decorated – Stesti
  • Most Spirited – Lovelady Elementary UIL
  • Best Theme – Lovelady Girls Softball and Lovelady Youth Baseball

While anyone who attended this year’s festival went away feeling good, there were actual prizes and awards to be given out. For the Baby Beauty Contest, the winners were: 

  • Baby Miss Winner: Paisley Hanna
  • Baby Miss Runner Up: Evelyn Turner
  • Baby Mister Winner: Clay Best
  • Baby Mister Runner Up: River Allen
  • Toddler Miss Winner: Josey Mattern
  • Toddler Miss Runner Up: Kensley Miller
  • Toddler Mister Winner: River Seidel
  • Wee Miss Winner: Parker O’Saile
  • Wee Miss Runner Up: Kaitlyn Kennedy
  • Wee Mister Winner: Cody Easton
  • Wee Mister Runner Up: Nicalis Hughes-Grant
  • Little Miss Winner: Parker Colvin
  • Little Miss Runner Up: Tiffany Martinez

The groups huddled near the fires and smoke (giving off an odor that would make anyone hungry) shared their own awards:

Showmanship: 

Smokin’ Britches

Chili:

1. Up In Smoke

2. Damn Yankees

3. Pearson Chapel Ranch

4. Dreamfly Catering

5. Smokin’ Britches

Ribs:

1. BBQ Justice

2. Dreamfly Catering

3. Damn Yankees

4. Big Easy

5. Smokin’ Under Pressure

Beans:

1. Come N Take It Cookers

2. Carmona Cookers

3. Lone Star Cookers

4. BBQ Justice

5. No Maintenance

Chicken:

1. No Maintenance

2. Pearson Chapel Ranch

3. Smokey & BBQ Bandits

4. Lone Star Cookers

5. Damn Yankees

Brisket:

1. Come N Take It Cookers

2. Dreamfly Catering

3. Damn Yankees

4. Smoke Daddy’s BBQ

5. No Bull BBQ

Now back inside where it will be a little warmer to cheer on the Lions and Lady Lions as they take that Lovelady spirit into the basketball playoffs. 

Look for Lovefest photos throughout this edition of The Messenger. 

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]

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