If your skin melts when you walk outside, your car seats burn every time you enter it and the water calls for you ever day, you might be on Summer vacation. Every town has its own unique set of traits, but these are ours. Here's how to quickly identify a summer in the (west) burg.
1. You've gotten creative with developing new ways to have fun.
Photo by Innibos-Verblyf
Oak Grove doesn't have the largest variety of entertainment to offer its citizens, so you've most likely racked your brain with a couple of friends about what to do for the day. After all, you can only see so many movies at The Grand or walk around Turtle Creek Mall so often. Days on the lake, day trips and adventures in historic downtown Hattiesburg have all saved you from a little monotony.
Tip: Take a ride to the coast and spend a day on the beach and shopping at the outlet mall, or ride on over to NOLA for a variety of fun activities to do before the sun sets.
2. Temple Baptist Church's firework extravaganza lit up your Fourth of July.
Photo by The White House
A sea of Instagram pictures with seemingly identical backgrounds, pickup truck views and explosions of brightly colored pyrotechnics so close you might get a piece of debris in your eye. The Temple Fourth of July event might as well be a high school reunion for the past 20 classes of Oak Grove High School.
Tip: Get to the grounds with plenty of time. "Fireworks start at 9 p.m." doesn't mean pull up at 8:45 p.m. For a great view (and I promise, it's worth it) get to the Temple or OG parking lot with an hour or two to spare (and bring a cooler of snacks to pass the time).
3. Conni Cone has been your go-to treat to escape the heat.
Photo from Snobamas.tumblr.com
If you've ever driven on Old 11 past the high school, but before you've hit the middle school, you've probably seen a lengthy line of cars packed into the gravel-lined property that is Conni Cone. Pick your cup size and grab a bag of popcorn to go with it (and don't forget to grab a punch card, you know you'll be back)
Tip: Putting sweetened condensed milk on top of any flavor is a win!
4. Ed's Burger Joint has become a new staple in your go-to food joints.
Photo from EdsBurgerJoint.com
Don't get me wrong, the OG/Hattiesburg area boasts a gigantic variety of restaurants. Italian, Greek, Chinese, burgers, chicken, delis; you name it, we got it. Unfortunately, it's been a while though since a new hookup has really landed and stuck (see: Catch 22, Magic Tomato, 2 Brothers Grill, Keaster's Barbecue, Bakers Burger. The list could keep going. P.s. I miss all of you. please come back.). Something about Ed's seems to strongly intrigue natives. Maybe it's the delicious juicy burgers and sandwiches they offer. Maybe it's the one-of-a-kind shakes, like the Cap'n Crunch Shake or the Shipley's Donut Shake (you heard me right, that's blended up donuts in a milkshake). Maybe it's the cool modern outdoors atmosphere that promotes bonding and fun games. Whatever it is, it has residents lining up outside the door (no joke, out the door) to get a bite of what Ed's has to offer.
Tip: Take your shake and burger to the second story of the outdoor seating area. It's got a nice cool breeze and a quaint view over the big string lights that decorate the lower patio.
5. You prepare for any day to bring on any kind of weather.
Photo from CheatSheet.com
(No history of sharknados in Oak Grove, don't worry)
If you've spent even a week in the 39402 during the summer, you've come to realize that a sunny broadcast doesn't hold any true guarantee of a nice day. Forecasted thunderstorms turn into cloudless skies in the hundreds - and the beautiful tolerable forecast you prepared for might turn into flash-flood warnings and hurricane force winds. Tornado sirens have penetrated the walls of your house more than once, and you've probably come to terms with the constant possibility of one. To the downstairs bathroom, kids!
Tip: All kidding aside, always have a backup plan. Don't let rained-out plans prevent you from getting the best of you and your friends. Break out a board game, turn on Netflix, bake a cake.
Whatever you do, don't let anyone or anything prevent you from having a blast this summer. Grab a burger, take a swim and don't forget your sunscreen! Or your poncho. Honestly, you never know.
