Big Country 101 Annual Back to School Beach Bash was held on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, beginning at 11 a.m. at Douthat State Park.
The day was a big success at Douthat’s beach complex. To kick off the morning at 11 a.m. was the toilet paper toss. One guest threw the toilet paper and the partner caught it blindfolded while sitting on the toilet. First place went to Matt and James Wright of Bedford, Va. catching eight rolls.
Lunch was served at noon compliments of Douthat State Park. Two-hundred hotdogs were given out along with sweet tea and lemonade.
The hula hoop contest started around 12:30 p.m. and was a competitive competition. It came down to three contestants. Third place was 11-year-old Carly Ritter from Midlothian, Va. with 36 minutes. Second place was 7-year-old Allison Bora from Fincastle, Va. with 42 minutes and 15 seconds, and first place as 14-year-old David Aronson from Greensboro, N.C. with over 42 minutes.
At 1 p.m. the limbo contest took place with 8-year-old Olivia Martin from Covington, Va. taking second place and 10-year-old Jacob Burdette from Clifton Forge, Va.
The sand sculpture contest was judged at 1:45 p.m. Honorable mention sculpting a zoo was Stone Russel. Third place created a sea turtle was 11-year-old Gabriella Moore from Roanoke, Va.
Second place created an octopus and sea turtles roasting marshmallows over a fire was Lizzy Galliger. First place created an alligator eating a fish was Alison Gozora from Inwood, WVa.
The diving contest started at 2 p.m. Best belly flop was 14-year-old Michael Morgan from Goshen, Va. Most creative dive was 16-year-old Melissa Wakefield from Richmond, Va. Biggest splash was 45-year-old Kenny Hiner from Monterey, Va. Best dive was Lane Williams.
The water balloon toss started at 2:30 p.m. and the last two standing with their water balloon was 14-year-old Matt Wright and 46-year-old James Wright from Bedford, Va.
The day came to an end with the Cardboard Boat Regatta. The boats were first judged for Best in Show. Eight-year-old Darin Ryder from Hot Springs, Va. won Best in Show by creating a swordfish.
First place in the boat race was 12-year-old Logan Gunsallus from Charrlottesville, Va. Logan spent three weeks creating his boat and used eight rolls of duck tape to complete it.
Second place in the boat race was 18-year-old Collin Chadduck from Alexandria, Va. Collin spent two hours on his boat and used three rolls of duck tape. He had help from the Fochee Family of Columbus, Ohio.
Third place in the boat race was 15-year-old James Hancock from Roanoke, Va. James spent three days creating his boat and used 10 to 15 rolls of duck tape to complete it.
There were a total of eight cardboard boats in the competition.
Several volunteers participated throughout the day. Big Country 101 staffed the event along with McDonald’s volunteers Virginia Faber, area supervisor, and Tammy Arrington, store manager, and Jiena Hollandsworth a Douthat volunteer.First National Bank was a sponsor for the event and Ntelos provided prizes along with Douthat State Park.
There were 450 guests who bought swim passes for Saturday and 217 camping and cabin guests.
For more information go to www.virginiastateparks.gov, contact the park office at 540-862-8100 or email Douthat State Park at [email protected]. Douthat is located at 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, VA 24460.