Deer Festival Is Success

The 37th annual Jasper County Deer Festival was deemed a success by virtually all accounts.

The board of directors of the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday and reviewed the event, and agreed it was a boon to the area. They had positive feedback from vendors.

Monticello City Council members learned in their meeting Tuesday what it had cost the city in overtime pay and food, but agreed that the influx of people to the town square was a very positive thing.
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The Square started coming to life Friday afternoon as vendors began setting up. It caused more than one traffic jam. But most of those problems were ironed out after offices closed at 5 p.m.

Saturday’s activities began early when hundreds of people took to the Monticello streets for the sixth annual Deer Dash. Alan Black again won the dash, this year with a time of 15:33.8. He finished more than a minute ahead of second place finisher Tom Kutter with a time of 16:36.7, and Brad Johnson was another minute behind with a time of 17:32.2.

Prizes were given in all age groups, and broken down by female and male. The overall female winner was Carolyn Boggs with a time of 23:04.8, and the masters female winner was Mara Nance with a time of 24:20.

Mr. Black was the overall male winner, and Clark Walker was the masters male winner. Runners came from across Georgia, with some also coming from Alabama and South Carolina.

For complete results, interested persons can log onto www.run-ningintheusa.com and click on results then scroll down to the Deer Dash.
A program of entertainment kept spectators occupied when they took time to rest in front of the stage.

Ivey Rogers was crowned Deer Festival queen by last year’s queen, Akeila Tripp. Holly Hammonds was named first runner-up.

In the venison cook-off, Liz Caldwell took first place for her burrito casserole, and John Fish took second with his camp roast over wild rice.
In the chili class, Mrs. Caldwell was again the winner with her campfire chili. Otis Clark took second with his hoticello bean chili. In the barbecue class, “Chef” Rusty Bullard was the winner.

The Kiwanis expressed their appreciation to the Deer Festival committee for a job well done, and to the Farmers Market Authority for the use of the market grounds.

Mills Smith won the prize for youngest successful hunter, and a hunter from Conyers won the prize for the deer with the most points for his 16-pointer. Joey Shirley won the prize for heaviest deer.

The Jasper County Humane Society raffled off a gun which was won by Dr. Corbitt Kelly. The Jasper County Farm Bureau young farmers also raffled a gun, and Mike Jackson won it.

Children had fun on giant slides, creating sand art, riding ponies, as well as a number of other activities.

The highlight, of course, was the parade. Shriners, the Monticello Marching Band, the Get Ahead House dance team, politicians, horses, and more held the attention of hundreds as they lined the streets all along the parade route.

The 38th annual Jasper County Deer Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004.