50th Annual Deer Festival

Wow! It’s that time of year when all the stars align, World Series, football, basketball, ice hockey and the world famous, Jasper County’s Deer Festival. Utopia for the sports fan.

In only a few days, downtown Monticello will be covered in camouflage-clad hunters and huntresses.

Love your boots! Stalking takes on a whole new meaning as hundreds of visitors and locals look for the perfect fried food to tickle their fancy at the booths surrounding the square, fried chicken, fried turkey legs, fried Oreos, fried pickles, and fried funnel cakes. If you have never tasted venison (aka DEER) this is your chance, there’s a booth for that also.

Come celebrate the BIG 50th Deer Festival.

Dear me, two hunters in a stand when one grabs his chest and falls to ground, appears to not be breathing and eyes rolled back in his head. The other hunter quickly calls 911 on his cellphone and yells at the operator, “Help, I think my friend is dead, what should I do.”

The operator says in a calm voice, “Be calm, follow my directions, let’s make sure he is dead.” There is silence on the other end, then a gunshot. The hunter comes back on the cellphone, “Now what?”

Be safe this deer season as there are many dangers when hunting and driving. Wear your orange vests and watch out for the many white tails that may try to dash in front of you while driving.