SULLIVAN - There's nothing better than watermelon, apple pie and a parade to help celebrate our nation's birthday.

At least Chad Matheson thought so after consuming nine pieces of watermelon that were equivalent to more than two whole watermelons.

Matheson, 32, of Sullivan, kept his title as king of the watermelon contest on Friday that was a part of the 89th annual Fourth of July festivities sponsored by Sullivan's Post 68 American Legion.

This is his ninth year winning the contest.

He chowed down big bites of watermelon as juice splattered everywhere. The crowd in the background yelled to the hometown favorite, "Come on Chad."

"It was much easier this year and the watermelon had fewer seeds," Matheson said. "But you have no time to think; you just keep going and feel your teeth freezing and tongue getting numb."

Other events included a carnival and the famous turtle races at Wyman Park.

In one of the 13 heats, three of the turtles were neck and neck trying to cross the line of a circle painted in a grassy area of the park. But it was the turtle belonging to Branden Ferris, 13, of Sullivan that crossed the circle to capture the title.

Earlier, people lined up along Main Street sitting in lawn chairs in front of their homes to watch the parade that kicked off the festivities. About 150 parade entries went down Main Street and past the park.

"This is a special time as we celebrate our independence and remember our troops," said parade organizer Justin Farris who spent seven years in the Navy.

It was a family affair for the Sims family sitting out on the porch of their home and watching the parade going by. They decorated their front lawn with a plywood cutout soldier kneeling with his rifle and a cross next to it.

Their front porch was decorated with red, white and blue ribbons and the American flag.

"I just like the Fourth of July," said Mary Sims as she sat on her front porch with her husband, Bob, daughter and grandchildren.

Another flag stood tall over Rhonda Richardson's home on Main Street. Her whole family gathered to watch the parade in honor of this country 232nd birthday.

Her father, Jim Hutchcraft of Bethany was celebrating his 69th birthday.

"I never served in the military, but three of my brothers did. One was in World War II, Korean War and another one served during peace time," Hutchcraft said as he enjoyed the double birthday celebration.

Sheila Smith can be reached at sheilas@herald-review.com or 421-7963.