Zoe tries to win over residents of Bluebell by participating in the Founder's Day parade, but an unfortunate incident only makes matters worse.

Zoe enters a gumbo contest in yet another attempt to prove she can fit in as a Bluebell resident; Lavon has a crush on Zoe and Brick's new receptionist, and the news sours Lemon; and Zoe and Brick must look past their differences to save someone's life.

When Nascar’s Brian Vickers has to drop out of hosting Bluebell Junior League’s annual turtle race, Lemon is reluctantly convinced that the mayor is the perfect replacement as her co-host. Zoe is asked out on a date by a handsome local veterinarian, Dr. Judson Lyons. Wade has an unexpected visitor who stirs up all kinds of trouble for him.

Noticing that Zoe is feeling homesick, Lavon suggests that she host his annual pre-game homecoming party to help her feel more connected to Bluebell. Zoe jumps at the opportunity and decides to enlist the help of her friend Gigi from New York, but as it turns out New York and Bluebell have very different ideas of what makes a good party. Meanwhile, George and Wade hatch a plan to get even with their high school nemesis, Jimmy, but when Lemon catches wind of their scheme she wants in on the action, too.

Zoe is so uncharacteristically happy as of late that it causes her friends to speculate as to the possible reason behind her new attitude. Turns out that Zoe is hiding her new friendship with AnnaBeth, who doesn't want Lemon to find out since Zoe is Lemon's sworn enemy. Lemon campaigns to become the Belles' new Memory Matron, but she has to overcome a few obstacles to secure the honored position.

Wade somehow convinces Lemon to dress up as Joelle as part of a scheme to convince Joelle’s ex-boyfriend that he didn’t actually see Wade and Joelle together. Lavon asks Zoe to help him figure out why Didi has been avoiding him, but once Zoe uncovers the shocking reason she isn’t quite sure what to do with the information. George comes to Zoe for advice in determining whether there is a medical explanation for the behavior of one of his clients.