A special Watermelon thanks

By Staff
Letter to the Editor
Franklin County Times
Dear editor, the Times:
When I took this job 6 months ago, I was particularly nervous about one thing and it was the fast approaching Watermelon Festival.
I remember thinking what great Watermelon festivals our community had enjoyed in the past and wondered how my first one would go. Because of the hard work of a lot of special people and some very special sponsors, Russellville was host to one of the largest crowds in festival history.
I could not be more proud of our 27th Watermelon Festival and the record-breaking attendance we enjoyed. I am grateful to so many of you for your kindness, patience and guidance and am already looking forward to next year's festival. What a great time I had and I hope you did to.
My heartfelt thanks to the following citizens and places of business for everything they did to make the festival a huge success:
My family…especially Libby (my daughter) , the Red Bay News, the Franklin Free Press, Russellville Parks and Recreation Department, Russellville Electric Department, Russellville Street Department, Russellville Fire Department, Franklin County Solid Waste Department, Russellville Water Department, Joe Murray, the Russellville Police Department and their reserves staff, Phil Campbell Rescue Squad, Franklin County Rescue Squad, Kerry Gilbert, Spry Funeral Home, Probate Judge Barry Moore, Echo Media, Donnie Borden, 5 Star Pizza, Clark Pulley Engineering Department, Webb Oil Co., Franklin County Arts Council, Zackie Bradford, First Baptist Church, Rob Devaney, Eddie Beason, Bro. Wade Wallace, Andy Gault, Bert Fowler, Richard Parker, Bro. Barry Holcomb, Shoals Suzuki, Coach Doug Goodwin, Pilgrims Pride, Russellville Board of Education, Russellville High School, David and Melissa Grissom, Russellville High School art students, all downtown Russellville businesses, Jerome Jackson and James Anglin, all musicians-both paid and volunteer, First Metro Bank, Ann Marie Hall, Elliott Gordon and Cub Scout Pack 39, Bobby Bolton, Mayor Johnny Brown, Community Spirit Bank, Russellville Hotel and Suites, Akins Florist, Connie's Creations, Bama Trophy, Ben Richey Photography, Bobby Welch and Unity Broadcasting, 2008-09 Junior Leadership Class, Brett Gist and the Russellville High School Booster Club, RHS majorettes, Kiwanis Club, Jerry McDuffa of Stay Kool Ice, Bill Fuller, Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, Richie and Sherye Price, our billboard winners-Hunter and Carly Briles, all billboard contest participants, our 2008 Watermelon queen Hannah Saylor, all watermelon queens and pageant participants, all of our festival sponsors and a special thanks to our major stage sponsors, CB&S Bank, Long Lewis/ Ed Blackburn, The Franklin County Times, KIX 96, Coke/ Marshall Bee, WAFF 48 TV, TimesDaily and Sen. Roger Bedford.
A special, heartfelt thanks also to the members of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and to my executive assistant, Erin Smith. I really appreciate you.
Cheryl Bradford
Executive Director,Franklin County Chamber of Commerce