The White Lake Water Festival is a quarter century old, and organizers say this year's event is one of the biggest and best ever.

Officials and organizers are holding out hope that this year's weather will cooperate. Last year, the weekend was cool with occasional rainstorms.

"About the only thing we can't plan for is the weather," said White Lake Mayor Goldston Womble. "so far, the long range forecast looks positive."

Water Festival is considered the first official weekend of summer for the lake, Womble said. Several thousand people are expected to attend the event.

"We're looking forward to having a good time, with a good crowd," Womble said. "We just want everyone to come out and have a good time at White Lake."

The Water Festival had its beginnings in the Blueberry Festival, and features beach music, shag contests, and entertainment throughout the weekend.

Festivities get underway Friday with a cruise-in by members of the Classic Cruisers Car Club at Camp Clearwater. WGQR radio will sponsor a dance and shag contest beginning at 9 p.m. at Camp Clearwater with Jiggs and Dorinda.

Winners of Friday night's WGQR Dance and Shag Contest at Camp Clearwater receive etched glass trophies and all entrants receive a complimentary Water Festival T-shirt. Entry fee is $15.

On Saturday morning, registration for the one-mile Fun Run from Goldston's Beach starts at 6:30 a.m., with the run starting at 7:30 a.m. The Water Festival Parade begins at 11 a.m. at Camp Clearwater, ending at the Scotchman on U.S. 701.

Starting at 9:30 a.m., the White Lake Water Festival Softball Tournament takes place at the Bladen County Park near Elizabethtown. The tourney opens back up Sunday at the same time.

Saturday afternoon will feature an Antique Tractor Pull across U.S. 701 from the White Lake Motel, as well as the arts and crafts show and other activities at Goldston's Beach and Crystal Beach.

Visitors can also enjoy a garden tractor pull, puppet shows and wake boarding demonstrations at the White Lake Campground, Crystal Beach, Goldston's Beach, and Camp Clearwater.

Puppet shows featuring "Kamp Kreatures" will take place at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Crystal Beach.

At 5 p.m., the latest styles in swimsuits will be displayed at Goldston's Beach.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the winners of Friday's dance contest will also get to demonstrate their moves as J.D. Cash hosts the Main Event Band at Crystal Beach. The Main Event, featuring Shannon Kinlaw and Greg Elkins, takes the stage for the dance at 9 p.m. at Crystal Beach.

Crystal Beach is near where the original site of the Pavilion, considered by some to be the birthplace of the shag.

For fans of other music styles, entertainers will perform throughout the day at Goldston's Lakeside Stage Saturday and Sunday.

On Sunday morning, the Gospel Festival gets underway at Goldston's Beach and the annual Fireman's Olympics will take place across from White Lake Motel and Campground.

The Crafts Show and Sale will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Goldston's Beach.

For more information about the dance contest or Saturday's dance with the Main Event, call Lee Hauser at WGQR at 872-1057 or visit WGQR1057.com on the internet for more details and ticket information.

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