Call it 'Melon-a-thon'

MILAN — In a quick turnaround, the Milan Melon Festival Committee on Friday reinstated its Sport-a-thon tradition, less than a day after announcing it was being ended due to complaints that it was "demeaning." "The community has spoken, and the committee has listened," according to an announcement the committee made at about 9:15 a.m. Friday. "We are overwhelmed with the community's outpouring of support to continue the Sport-a-thon tradition." The announcement called for volunteers to help with the newly retitled Melon-a-thon, open to any Edison High School junior or senior student who would like to participate. "Scholarship funds will no longer be limited to student-athletes," the committee said in the announcement. Melon-a-thon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday at the main stage. Volunteers who want to help run the event are asked to contact the committee's Facebook page. "We hope to see an outpouring of community support, student participation and volunteers for this event on Monday," the committee's announcement states. Original story, 8:20 a.m. 'Demeaning' tradition ended MILAN — Just before the start of the annual Milan Melon Festival, the festival committee announced on Thursday that it was ending the longstanding tradition known as Sport-a-thon. Student athletes participate in the Sport-a-Thon in this Sept. 1, 2017, Register file photo "Over the past few years, there have been multiple calls from parents feeling that the events of the Sport-a-thon were demeaning and uncomfortable for their children," the committee announced. "That being said, we unfortunately do not have the support for the Sport-a-thon that we previously had. We are looking into other ways to earn our scholarship funds for the Edison students and are open to ideas that can be sent to our email or shared with us at a committee meeting." Graduating seniors participate and audience members donate money for scholarships by assigning the students funny tasks that are sometimes awkward. "It's a fun event and has been for 40 years," one parent said. "Simply ridiculous," another parent, Angie Langhals, posted. "It's not mandatory if a kid isn't comfortable with it he/she doesn't have to participate. The kids, parents and community all enjoyed this equally. Put it to a vote, don't just cancel." Dan Moyer also seemed unhappy. "Wondering what their reasoning is as it's so sad that the Milan Melon Festival Committee went the 'woke' avenue," Moyer wrote. "I didn't think Milan was following suit like the big cities. That's not 'Who' we are." The committee posted the announcement at its Facebook page and there were 163 responses to it as of Friday morning. Most of the comments were in opposition to the committee's decision, suggesting that parents and students who don't want to be involved don't have to participate.