Well, there was a lot to be disappointed with the inaugural Hay Dayz summertime festival held last weekend, and it all points to the rain that struck our area. First, a severe lightning storm struck on Friday night, and the rain continued into Saturday afternoon.
Despite the rain, though, a lot of people turned out for the festival and had a good time. The carnival rides were still going, and there were a number of live acts that still took place. We can understand groups for bowing out, but we are also very grateful to those who stuck it out.
While headliner Steven Padilla Band was not able to turn out, he will reschedule and put on a performance at the Demopolis Civic Center in the near future.
The hay bale decorating contest was very popular, and had seven out of a maximum posible 10 entries, all with creative and attractive designs. Jim Bird, who judged the contest, said there was a virtual three-way tie for first, and he chose the one that stood out the most among the three.
The corn dog eating contest was also a crowd favorite. Six people turned out for the adult division, and the youth division had two troopers who battled through the 10-minute time limit to down as many dogs as they could without — well — giving them up.
All in all, there were many positive reactions to the festival, and that was encouraging to the festival’s sponsors, the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce and the Demopolis City Schools Foundation. Plans are to have another Hay Dayz, perhaps earlier int he summer than mid-August.
It was apparent that people had fun, the vendors, carnival company workers, pony ride providers and everyone involved enjoyed themselves, and it seems that this Hay Dayz thing was a pretty good idea.
At first glance, Hay Dayz seems to have been bitten by the rain curse that also bit last December’s ChiLLy Fest and last April’s Pepper Jelly Festival, but how great is it that, for a first-time festival, it got thumbs-up all the way around?
Thanks to everyone who organized and attended Hay Dayz. Let’s do it again!