With Mother Nature blessing the area with sunshine, and temperatures soaring into the 90s on Friday, many folks took advantage of the Southern Standard’s annual Banana Day festivities. Approximately 800 complimentary banana splits were served to guests from 1 – 3:30 p.m.
“It’s summer and we are going bananas” is the idea around here, with customers able to take advantage of low summer prices to receive the hometown newspaper. Subscription rates were dropped for the occasion, and a variety of door prizes were available to a lucky few. A gas grill, cooler and ice cream maker were appropriate summer gifts.
Sisters Bailey and Kaitlyn Vickers were present with their great-grandmother and avid newspaper reader Betty Fults.
“Oh yeah, I enjoy reading the newspaper,” said Fults. “I sure miss them if I don’t get them, so I made sure I renewed for another year. The banana splits are great, too.”
June Dairy Month chairman Marynia Harris helped serve the desserts, as part of her promoting dairy products and their importance. She was assisted by recently crowned 4-H Dairy Princess Lauren Mansfield.
A large group of family members paid a visit to Banana Day before their swimming trip to the river.
“We brought several children with us to get a banana split, and they have been looking forward to it all week,” said Amy Stinnett. “We are just one big happy family, and we appreciate the free desserts.”
Five-year-old Lola Tittsworth was excited about her first Banana Day, and didn’t hesitate diving into her ice cream dessert.
“This is a good treat, especially on a hot day,” said subscriber Wanda Rigsby. “I really like the newspaper, enjoy reading the obituaries and keeping up with all the news going on in McMinnville.”