July 8, 2007 - Croaker Festival 2007 Calypso Croakers Parade: Golly! You just had to be there - what a parade! (Well, actually, even if you weren't there, you can still view the parade online at the Croaker Festival Virtual Parade!) The spectacle stepped off smartly at 10:00 a.m. sharp, Saturday, July 7, and the last units reached the parade route exit a little after 11:00 a.m. Parade-watchers young and old lined the streets of Oriental to cheer on their favorite parade entries (and to pocket candy). Paul Fairbank ("Parade Master P") reports that well over 100 parade slots were allotted with over 70 units in attendance and hundreds of participants, including some last-minute arrivals who were squeezed in where space allowed.

The Parade Master asked The Daily Croaker to extend thanks to some special folks who helped make the parade a success: Mac's Gas & Grocery, who once again graciously allowed parade marshalling and staging in their parking lot. The Wolfords who bravely allowed staging of equestrian entries on their property and perhaps even received a little "fertilizer" in return! Larry Gwaltney of Sail/Loft who kindly allowed unit staging and traffic turnaround in the real estate office parking lot again this year. The residents of Ragan Road, Neuse Drive, Gilgo Road, Lupton Drive, and Link Lane, who suffer twice a year for the benefit of the county. Oriental Free Will Baptist Church which allowed units to stage in their parking lot. The Pamlico County Horseman's Association and their horses who braved the heat to give parade-goers an opportunity to enjoy a truly fine display of horsemanship. All the residents and businesses along the parade route who are unfailingly kind and gracious to parade participants and watchers (and are stoic about the traffic changes). Finally, a big thank you to all the participants for making your parade a big success!

As in years past, The Ladies of the Neuse judged the parade entries, and winners received the cutest little handmade trophies you've ever seen!

Chief Croaker Candy Bohmert displays trophies made by
The Ladies of the Neuse

July 7, 2007 - Croaker Queen Pageant Results: Chrissy Fulcher, Pageant Coordinator, thanks all the contestants for their participation. Chrissy adds, "All our contestants were poised, articulate, and represented Pamlico County well. I'm sure the judges had a tough job choosing title winners from among this group of lovely young ladies!"

Congratulations to:
Croaker Queen 2007 - Lisa Arnold, a recent graduate of Pamlico County High School, Sponsor: Oriental Village Veterinary Hospital. Lisa is the daughter of Debbie Arnold and Tommy Arnold.

First Runner Up - Capresha Mattocks, a rising senior at Pamlico County High School, Sponsor: M&M's Cafe. Capresha is the daughter of Beverly and Tyrone Brown.

Second Runner Up - Asheton Phillips, a rising junior at Pamlico County High School, Sponsor: Shekenah Glory. Asheton is the daughter of Paul and Sandy Williams.

Miss Photogenic - Shana Hoff, a rising senior at Pamlico County High School, Sponsor: The Bean. Shana is the daughter of Mark and Linda Hoff.

Miss Congeniality - Gretchen Steiger, a rising junior at Pamlico County High School, Sponsor: Marsha's Cottage. Gretchen is the daughter of Daniel and Ann Steiger.

Scholarship Recipient - Christal Clark, a rising senior at Pamlico County High School, Sponsor: Red Fox Stables. Christal is the daughter of Ralph and Christie Boyette.

Thank you to all the sponsors who supported these lovely ladies!

Photos coming soon!

July 4, 2007 - Calypso Al update: It has been rumored that Calypso Al wandered the Tiki Bar and The Bean with nary a soul asking him, "Are you Calypso Al?" At Inland Waterway, however, a youngster about 6 years old, we're told, spotted Calypso Al and immediately asked the appropriate question. Grace from Raleigh was the first and, we believe, only person to spot Calypso Al!

Sharp eye, Grace!

July 3, 2007 - Can you help us find Calypso Al? If so, you may become the owner of a fabulous, brand-new Croaker Festival T-Shirt!

Calypso Al has gone missing. He's somewhere in Pamlico County, but we can't be sure where exactly. If you find Calypso Al (and it shouldn't be too hard - he's wearing a "specially marked" T-shirt), be sure to ask him, "Are you Calypso Al?"

If indeed you've found him, Calypso Al will reward you with your very own fabulous, brand-new Croaker Festival T-Shirt!

Remember:

• Find Calypso Al in his specially marked T-shirt
• Ask, "Are you Calypso Al?"
• Wear your T-shirt with Croaker Pride!

July 2, 2007 - The Official Croaker Festival Program is now available online!

July 2, 2007 - Program Correction: Oops! We have a change in the list of Sunday Events (p. 35). For the most up-to-date schedule info, see the online schedule and program.

July 9, 2007 - Dunking Booth Update: Sandi Gray-Terry reports that despite being rained and lightning'd out, the dunking booth Chumps brought in a total of $287.00!!!! (This money supports the festival and the fireworks.)

First Place Winner: Susy Smith of the Provision Company; $89.00 in 30 minutes!!! (almost $3 per minute)

Second Place Winner: Shared by Chief Jeff Casassa and Barking Dog Cart-lady Jennifer Pare. Chief brought in more money ($77.00) but also had a full 45 minutes in the booth (yielding $1.71/minute) while Jennifer brought in $58.00 in 30 minutes (1.93/min).

Runners Up: Vet/Doc Sheri Hicks for the best smile and laughter, a total of $39.00 (1.30/min.) and The Bean owner, Eric Kindle for bravery in thunder, lightning, and the onset of the downpour; who, still, brought in $24.00 (in 25 minutes: $.96/min.) as people were fleeing for shelter!

The Dump the Chump Coordinator thanks all the dunkees for their great spirit and participation --- and acknowledges that all bribes were fair and in the spirit of fundraising!

Sandi sends a great-big thank you to Tom Daly for getting and transporting the booth.

Also thanks go to Angie Probst for the hand-painted Croaker trophy, which will be displayed at The Provision Co.!

Sandi says, "Just think how much money we could have raised, if y'all each had your full hour in the booth!!!"

Thanks, also, to all the great ball throwers! (And, we hope the Chief recovers quickly from his injury).

Finally, the Chief Croaker adds that Sandi came to the rescue, picked up the Dump-the-Chump ball at the last minute, and ran with it. Touchdown, Sandi! Nice Job. (And, we've got you down for next year, too!)

July 7, 2007 - Miss Minnow Pageant Results: Despite unexpected rain and a last-minute venue change, the Miss Minnow Pageant contestants maintained their good attitude and flashed their winning smiles for their audience, families, friends, and judges.

Pageant coordinators thank all the little ladies for their participation and good cheer!

Congratulations to our title winners:
Miss Minnow 2007 - Macy Brinson, aged four, daughter of Jon and Sheila Brinson, Grantsboro, Sponsor: Nationwide T.W. Boyd Agency.

First Runner Up - Grace Lynn Beddard, daughter of Ray and Pearl Beddard, Oriental, Sponsor: Pamlico Home Repair and Vinyl Siding.

Second Runner Up - Kaylin Louise Tanner, daughter of Thomas and Julie Tanner, Sponsor: Pamlico Parts.

Third Runner Up - Hannah Elizabeth Duval, daughter of Donnie Duval and Becky King, Grantsboro, Sponsor: Eastern Insulation of New Bern.

Miss Photogenic - Isabella ("Bella") Rose Rodriguez, daughter of Joe and Tammy Rodruigez, Reelsboro, Sponsor: Fulcher's Point Pride Seafood.

Miss Personality - Morgan Faye Spain, daughter of Derek and Stephanie Spain, Alliance, Sponsor: Potter Net and Twine.

Miss Congeniality - Chasity Brooke Fulcher, daughter of Ryan Cahoon and Chrissy Fulcher, Oriental, Sponsor: Fulcher's Point Pride Seafood.

And a big thank you to all the sponsors who supported these delightful youngsters!

Photos coming soon!

July 7, 2007 - Nautical Flea Market organizer Charles Boone reports that a number of participants will offer hundreds of items for sale on Saturday. Added to the Croaker Festival lineup just a few years ago, the Nautical Flea Market is fast becoming a festival favorite. According to Charles, if you come by on Saturday, you might be able to pick up, among other things, a nice varnished dinghy or two refrigerators (12 volt/110) that were pulled out of a boat. Charles reports the owner simply needed a bigger refrigerator, and these are in great shape.

It's hard to pin down exactly what items will appear for sale at the Nautical Flea Market, but in previous years, we've seen brass novelties, anchors, port lights, winches, and other objects both nautical and eye-catching. Go early - the best items always go fast!

July 6, 2007 - For a little while, it looked as if the Croaker Festival Baking Contest would be a bit soggy! But the intrepid volunteers pulled together and hustled all the scrumptious entries under tents and forged ahead with the important - and envious - job of judging all the T-riffic entries.

July 3, 2007 - We'd like to give a big, hearty Croaker Thank-You to Adrian Henson Photography! Adrian photographed all the Croaker Queen contestants, and a wonderful photo package (Portrait & Headshots) will be awarded to this year's Croaker Queen! Plus, all the contestants will receive headshots! The Daily Croaker asked Adrian what's in store for 2008, and we learned that next year, Adrian will be photographing the Minnow contestants, too!

Way to go, Adrian!

July 3, 2007 - The Chief Croaker reminds us: "Judging of entries in the Photography Contest will be completed Thursday, July 5, 2007."

Photographers, that means you only have two days left to get your entries in! Entries can be dropped off at the office of Mona Kay Sadler, CPA, in Grantsboro. See the Contests Page for full details - and hurry!

July 2, 2007 - Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Uncles, and Aunts - download the Kids' Coloring Contest Rules & Entry Form for your talented kids, grandkids, nieces & nephews!