Mayor John Lazar: “I am extremely pleased to serve as Mayor during this Centennial year. It’s been an extremely enjoyable year reliving the 100-year history of Turlock through various celebrations and events organized by the Turlock Centennial Committee. Turlocker’s have an opportunity to travel down memory lane one more time this Labor Day Weekend to participate in the reenactment of the Turlock Melon Carnival and Kiddie Kaper Parade. Hats off to organizers Ray Souza, Tony Leo, and everyone else who is bringing us this piece of Turlock’s past. I extend a personal invitation to our community to attend and enjoy this special event, and take pride in Turlock’s past!”
Good Day Sacramento and Alan Sanchez will be previewing the event on Monday morning. Come down early to try to be on T.V. with Alan Sanchez.
The headline of the December 7, 1920 Turlock Journal reads, “TURLOCK THE MELON CITY OF CALIFORNIA,” so in the spirit of the City of Turlock’s Centennial, the Turlock Centennial Melon Carnival will take place on Labor Day to celebrate a major part of our roots, the melon industry. We also plan to celebrate our large contributions to the agricultural industry in general with all the same fun as they did in 1911.
“I’m just thrilled to invite everyone to come out and have a good fun time,” says Melon Carnival Committee Chair Ray Souza. “There’s no better way to spend Labor Day than with our families at an event where we’ll be reliving Turlock’s historic Melon Carnival.”
Turlock held its first Melon Carnival in 1911 as a way to celebrate the growing success of the melon industry created by the Turlock Irrigation District. The Melon Carnival, held in late August, took place on Main Street the first year and festivities included a parade, music, exhibits, games, and contests. A second carnival was held in 1912, and in the ensuing years, it was held intermittently until 1925 when the celebration started taking place at North Broadway.
Year by year attendance increased and more property was purchased to accommodate larger crowds. In 1934, the Legion partnered with the 38th District Agricultural Association as co-sponsors of the ever popular event, and in 1938 the American Legion “turned over the reins” to the 38th District completely.
On September 1, 2008, the Turlock Centennial Melon Carnival will take place replicating the original festivities including melon games, free melon, and the crowning of the Turlock Melon Carnival Queen.
Ladies interested in being the Turlock Centennial Melon Carnival Queen must be ages 16 and up, submit an essay on why they should be chosen, a photo, and three references to khacker@turlockjournal.com or dj@turlockcitynews.com by 5pm Aug 30. If you know someone that you would want to represent Turlock for the day as the queen, get them to enter! The Turlock Centennial Melon Carnival Queen will be presented at 11am on the Cultural Performance Stage and then lead the Kiddie Kaper Parade.
The Turlock Centennial Melon Carnival will also feature Turlock Historical Society picture displays, themed exhibits, antique automobiles, historic re-enactments, and projected showings of the “Turlock” documentary.
David Fransen, Melon Carnival Committee Member, says “I love remembering and celebrating Turlock’s history just as much as the… well as much as the other few people who ‘love’ it, but this is about having a lot of fun right here in Turlock with all of our family, friends, and neighbors on Labor Day.”
There will be games/contests (for kids and adults), kid’s activities, face painting, clowns, cultural music and dance performances, food & drink booths, a farmers’ market, and more. John Phillip Sousa Band will be performing throughout the event as well.
The historically popular Kiddie Kaper Parade will also be incorporated into the Turlock Centennial Melon Carnival!
Dress up like the old days, decorate strollers, bikes, wagons, skateboards, or just walk in the parade. FREE registration starts at 10am, line up at 11:30am, and start time is noon.
This free family-oriented event will be a “one-of-a-kind” celebration and a fun-filled day that won’t soon be forgotten.
The Turlock Centennial Committee would like to thank our major sponsors as their contributions have made this event admission FREE. Major sponsors include: The Stanislaus County Fair, Turlock Fruit Company, V.H. Azhderian and Company, California Grown Nut Company, Darryl Woods, Turlock Dairy Refrigeration, Turlock Scavenger, Turlock American Legion, A.L. Gilbert Company, Yosemite Farm Credit, Stanislaus Farm Supply, Gemperle Enterprises, Monte Vista Crossings, AT&T, Sizzler, Holiday Inn Express, Buchanan Enterprises, and ATB Packing Company.
“This event’s admission will cost the same as it did in 1911, free!” says Ray Souza.
Turlock Centennial Committee Co-Chair Sharon Silva said “First I would like to thank the Melon Carnival Committee for all their hard work under the leadership of Ray Souza, Tony Leo, and the Stanislaus County Fair.”
Silva went on to say “This will be a very exciting time for families to come together at no charge here in Turlock and celebrate Turlock’s Centennial.”
Mayor John Lazar sits as the Turlock Centennial Chair along with Co-Chairs Sharon Silva and Dr. Robert Santos.
The Melon Carnival will be one of the last events celebrating Turlock’s Centennial. Sharon Silva stated that a Turlock Centennial Time Capsule will be buried later in the year and in December the last Turlock Centennial celebration will be the unveiling of a statue honoring the Founder of Turlock, John Mitchell. The statue of John Mitchell will stand in Central Park.
Please Forward This Information to Help Celebrate Turlock’s Centennial as a Community!
Good Day Sacramento will be previewing the event early Monday morning and TurlockCityNews.com will be covering the event all day.
TURLOCK CENTENNIAL MELON CARNIVAL
Sept 1, 2008 (Labor Day)
Turlock Centennial Melon Carnival
Stanislaus County Fairgrounds 10am – 6pm
FREE ADMISSION
TURLOCK MELON CARNIVAL QUEEN CONTEST:
Ages 16 and up should submit an essay on why them, photo, and three references to khacker@turlockjournal.com or dj@turlockcitynews.com by 5pm Aug 30. If you know someone that you would want to represent Turlock for the day as the queen, get them to enter! The Turlock Centennial Melon Carnival Queen will be presented at 11am on the Cultural Performance Stage and then lead the Kiddie Kaper Parade.
KIDDIE KAPER PARADE:
Dress up like the old days, decorate strollers, bikes, wagons, skateboards, or just walk in the parade. FREE registration starts at 10am, line up at 11:30am, and start time is noon. Call Turlock Recreation at 668-5594 for more info.
JOHN PHILLIP SOUSA BAND
Food and Beer Booths
Themed Vendors and Displays
Cultural Dance and Music Performances
Melon Contests and Games for KIDS and ADULTS
Children’s Activities, Games, Face Painting, Clowns and More
Farmers’ Market
“Turlock” Documentary Showings
Turlock Historic Displays
THS Picture Display
Historic Reenactments
We would like to thank our Major Turlock Centennial Melon Carnival Sponsors: The Stanislaus County Fair, Turlock Fruit Company, V.H. Azhderian and Company, California Grown Nut Company, Darryl Woods, Turlock Dairy Refrigeration, Turlock Scavenger, Turlock American Legion, A.L. Gilbert Company, Yosemite Farm Credit, Stanislaus Farm Supply, Gemperle Enterprises, Monte Vista Crossings, AT&T, Sizzler, Holiday Inn Express, Buchanan Enterprises, and ATB Packing Company.
Turlock Centennial Melon Carnival Committee: Ray Souza, Scott Atherton, Steve Carkeet, DeeDee D’Adamo, Joe Fagundes, Judy Loretelli, Tony Leo, Darryl Woods, Bill Youngdale, and David “DJ” Fransen.
Turlock Centennial Committee Chair John Lazar
Turlock Centennial Co-Chairs Sharon Silva and Dr. Robert Santos
Call the Turlock Chamber at 632-221 or David Fransen at 678-7759 for more info.
MORE TURLOCK EVENTS:
Sept 1, 2008 (Labor Day)
Turlock Centennial Melon Carnival
Stanislaus County Fairgrounds 10am – 6pm
FREE ADMISSION
David (DJ) Fransen 209-678-7759 for more info
Sept 2, 2008
David Fransen Fundraiser Mixer
Los Metates Mexican Restaurant on Main + Canal 6:00pm – 8pm
FREE Meal with $30 Donation
RSVP 209-678-7759
Sept 3, 2008
Wine Tasting
Bistro 234 on Main St.
RSVP for Paid Event
Bistro 234 209-668-4234 for reservations and more info
Sept 7, 2008
Bridal, Quinceanera, and Party Expo
CSU Stanislaus
$5 admission, free admission for seniors and children 10 & under
Red Bow Weddings 209-669-4933 for vendor registration and more information
Sept 13, 2008
Party Under The Stars
Main St. in front of Coldwell Banker Endsley & Associates
$75 single seat
Turlock Chamber 209-632-2221 for sponsorships, tickets, or more info
Sept 16, 2008
Turlock Historical Society’s General Public Meeting
Berg Hall at Covenant Village, 2125 N. Olive St
FREE, 7pm
Covenant Village 209-632-9976
Sept 20, 2008
Vaccine Clinic
Monte Vista Small Animal Hospital
$5 and up on this clinic date
Monte Vista Small Animal Hospital 209-634-0023
Sept 20, 2008
17th Annual Garden Party
The Greenery
$35 person, $50 couple, and FREE for Rings of the Arts members
Turlock City Arts Commission 209-668-5599 ext. 4615 for tickets and more info
Oct 31, 2008
Turlock Downtown Halloween
Main St.
FREE Event
TDPOA 209-634-6459 to participate or for more info
Nov 21, 2008
Festival of Lights
Central Park and Main St.
FREE Event
TDPOA 209-634-6459 for paid vendor registration, to participate, and more info
Nov 22, 2008
Turlock Trot Fun Run
Donnelly Park
Registration Required
Turlock Recreation Division 209-668-5595 for registration and more info
Dec 5, 2008
Lights on Parade
Main St.
FREE Event
TDPOA 209-634-6459 for paid entry registration, paid vendor registration, to participate, and more info
