John Huddleston Day offers fun for all at the Crater

By Waymon Cox

  Greetings from Crater of Diamonds!  Last Saturday, hundreds of adults and children from Arkansas and states surrounding attended the 26^th annual John Huddleston Day at the park, celebrating 103 years since the discovery of diamonds in Southwest Arkansas.

  One of the day’s highlights was our fourth annual famous diamonds exhibit, where diamond miners and collectors from across the nation showcased some of their most beautiful treasures in a free public display of Crater diamonds.  The exhibit was open from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., and hundreds of park visitors took advantage of this rare opportunity to see dozens of Crater diamonds in one place!

  A traditional game returning to John Huddleston Day this year was the treasure hunt.  This year, six orange bottles were hidden in the diamond search area, containing a variety of prizes.  On Saturday, four of the canisters were found.  This year’s treasure hunt winners include the following:

Bottle #3 - Found by Matt Bond, from Quitman, LA

Bottle #4 - Found by Shirley Wong, from Anaheim, CA

Bottle #5 - Found by Lindy Minnie, from Ola, AR

  Our top two prize bottles remain hidden in the search area, including:

Bottle #1

Arkansas State Parks getaway

A two-night stay at any of 12 selected Arkansas State Parks,

genuine Crater diamond,

silver amethyst necklace,

$100 savings bond from Diamond Bank of Murfreesboro,

$25 certificate from Buddy’s Ranch House Café,

and a free medium cherry limeade from Sonic.

Bottle #2

Lake Greeson getaway

A one-night stay in a Swaha Lodge & Marina cabin,

genuine Crater diamond,

inflatable water float,

$100 savings bond from First National Bank of Murfreesboro,

$20 certificate from Campbell’s Family Restaurant,

and a free medium cherry limeade from Sonic.

  Twelve families found orange-painted rocks during the day, redeemed for great door prizes donated by local businesses!  Winners for door prizes and games are as follows:

Door Prize Winners

Darlene McAlister, Mansfield, AR

Sue Smith, Booneville, AR

Brinden Cunningham, Ft. Smith, AR

Preston Pierce, Dardanelle, AR

Tim Sheets, Seligman, MO

Rebecca Keeton, Delight, AR

Darian Ralph, Clarkesville, AR

Christian Andreasen, Dallas, TX

Ryleigh Horton, Terrell, TX

Dalton Anderson, Dallas, TX

Elizabeth BcBride, Delight, AR

  No John Huddleston Day would be complete without help from the area’s businesses.  We graciously extend many thanks to the following businesses for their contributions:

In Murfreesboro:

First State Bank of Pike County, Diamond Bank, First National Bank, 4 Seasons Florist, Sonic, Branch Welding & Service Center, Glynda's Fashions, Murfreesboro Diamond, Posey Lube & Tire, Los Agaves, Buddy's Ranch House Café, Chrystel's Family Hair Care, Hairs to You and Tans 2, Campbell's Family Restaurant, Image Shakers, D & R Marine & RV Service, Miner's Camp & Rock Shop, Prospectors' Pit Stop, Caddo Antiques, Hawkins Variety Store, Ka Do Ha Indian Village, Sweeden New Holland Agriculture, Diamond Gun & Pawn, Simple Simon's Pizza, Best Barbecue & More, Napa, Ace of Diamonds, Murfreesboro Glass, Murfreesboro Hardware, and Rehkopf's City Market.

In Nashville:

Salon Britt 218, Nashville Leader, Jeanine's Fine Jewelry, Flowers by Johnny, Western Auto, Southwest Arkansas Furniture, Kortlan Co., Main Street Musician's Supply, Etc. Boutique, May's BBQ, Morris Rexall Drug, Nashville Drug, Pic-a-Lily, and Quality Shoe Store.

In Delight:

Delight Hardware, Bank of Delight, Klass Printing, and McKnight's Grocery.

  Next week, we will present a full list of our 2009 John Huddleston Day game winners!

Diamond finds for June 15 - 21, 2009:

June 15 - Billy Moore, Murfreesboro, AR, 19 pt. white; Rob Hendricks, Nazareth, PA, 78 pt. white; Billy Moore, Murfreesboro, AR, 7 pt. white; Brian Johnson, Dallas, TX, 2 pt. white; Josh Torrey, Andrews Settlement, PA, 44 pt. brown; Zach Walls, Murfreesboro, AR, 5 pt. brown

June 16 - Destiny Callender, Bossier City, LA, 3 pt. white

June 17 - Carrie McKenzie, Denham Springs, LA, 7 pt. yellow; Billy Moore, Murfreesboro, AR, 5 pt. white; Zach Walls, Murfreesboro, AR, 11 pt. white; Lita Sills, Dahlonega, GA, 18 pt. white

June 18 - Gus Beisel, Mesa, AZ, 13 pt. white; Tracie Alexander, Ovid, MI, 1 pt. white

June 19 - Melissa Dunbar-Gannon, Comfort, TX, 8 pt. white

June 20 - Crystal Hamlet, Tampa, FL, 3 pt. brown, 3 pt. white, 24 pt. white; Diana Hamlet, Tampa, FL, 32 pt. white; Jarrod Hendricks, Nazareth, PA, 17 pt. white; Ricky Keeton, Delight, AR, 4 pt. white, 67 pt. brown

June 21 - David Hamlet, Tampa, FL, 13 pt. yellow; Eric Young, Eureka Springs, AR, 4 pt. white; Chip Burnett, Killeen, TX, 1.27 ct. brown