Lovely Weather Set for 43rd Annual Lovefest

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

LOVELADY –   There may just be something special in the water around Lovelady, something which causes the community to work together so well, through the decades and both good times and bad. Passing through the city this week, that feeling is only heightened as history is set to be made, once again, as the 43 annual Lovefest is set to hit Houston County.

Floats are doted over and perfected, booths are prepared, while potential local royalty fuss over gowns, suits, hair and makeup, as several generations stand beside the mirror, getting their candidate ready, making the whole event that much more timeless.

With one of the largest parades in the county, this year’s Lovefest is set to see record-breaking attendance. The warm temperatures and clear skies on deck now through Saturday, the welcoming signs to Houston County’s loveliest festival are big and bright. 

This year’s Lovefest will begin with the traditional coronation, held Thursday, Feb. 6 at the high school gym, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The sophomore class fund-raiser for prom will cost $4 for adults and $2 for students.

The Lovefest Parade kicks off Saturday, Feb. 8. at 10 a.m. with its Grand Marshals, the Lovelady Volunteer Fire Department. For parade information, call Sarah Reynolds at 936-222-7312.

The Lovelady Lovefest event itself will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Lovelady Community Park, featuring arts and crafts, barbecue cook-off, kid activities, games, baking contest, beauty pageant, dance and more. For arts and crafts and food booth information, call Lawanna Monk at 936-546-4054.

The Lovelady Masonic Lodge will play host to the barbecue cook-off, currently with 10 teams, but are looking for more entries. Fees are used for student scholarships and to give two teachers $500 for their classrooms. Dustin Perry is in charge of entertainment. Colby Shephard will be providing music and sound. Leap of Faith dance group will perform along with numerous local singers.

Weldon Civic Club Baking Contest will provide scholarship money for deserving students through entry fees and the sale of baked good entries.

In the last 10 years, the Lovefest has raised almost $80,000 benefitting the students of Lovelady Independent School District. Funds are divided equally between grades nine, 10, 11 and 12 for project graduation and Lovelady FFA.

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]