Submitted by Saltworks Camp No. 2353 of Lampasas

The Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) placed 3^rd place in the Deleon Peach and Melon Festival & Parade last Saturday, August 9^th. Three SCV camps participated together in the event, the Captain Walter T. Saxon Camp #1982 of Hico, 2^nd Texas Frontier No. 1904 of Deleon, and the Saltworks Camp No. 2353 of Lampasas.

The Deleon Peach and Melon Festival in DeLeon began in 1914. The festival’s origins trace back to the town’s agricultural history. After the boll weevil thwarted cotton production, farmers in the area turned to growing crops like peanuts and fruit. The town’s leaders saw the value in promoting its new agricultural focus, and in 1914, they held the first annual Peach and Melon Festival to celebrate the local harvest. The festival has evolved over the years, but its core purpose of celebrating the town’s agricultural heritage remains.

D. W. Davis, commander of the Hico Camp and 7^th Brigade, said, “We had a great day sharing our Southern heritage with an enthusiastic crowd.” Candy was handed out to kids with already half-filled bags. Davis will speak at the Saltworks Camp meeting on Saturday, August 23, at Little Tex Restaurant, 505 South Main Street, Copperas Cove. He will present a program on Confederate heritage at this event, scheduled for 2:00 PM.

Membership in the SCV is open to all male descendants of veterans who served honorably in the Confederate armed forces. For more information, contact Saltworks Camp Commander Michael Oliver at (254) 432-0322 or D. W. Davis at 254-433-9402.