Watermelon Festivals in 2024: Where, When and More to Find a Watermelon Festival Near You!
Looking for a Watermelon festival in October 2024? There is no other listing as
complete and current as this list, just updated! Watermelon festivals are held through the United States,
Canada, Britain, and
Australia and much of the world. All the Watermelon
festivals we can find are listed on this page!
If you love Blueberries, look for a festival near you below! And I'm
looking for more Watermelon festivals! Please write me, if
you know of any to add! I update the dates as soon as the festivals
publish their information, but you can always click on the links (usually
the name of the festival) to see the current information on the festival's
own website.
Especially this year, due to Coronavirus, be sure to click on the
links (the blue, underlined name of the each festival) to confirm this
year's dates on the website for each festival. If they don't have a
website, call the phone number provided, but ALWAYS CONFIRM THIS YEAR'S
DATES AND TIMES BY EITHER VIEWING THEIR WEBSITE OR CALLING.
Click here for the form to add a festival and have detailed information; or click
here if you have general information and are not connected with the event!
Watermelon Festivals in 2024: Where, When and More to Find a Watermelon Festival Near You!
Besides eating them fresh, watermelons make two
great preserves which are really easy to make with these
illustrated, step-by-step instructions:
Alabama
- Franklin County Watermelon Festival -
the 3rd weekend of August
103 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville, AL
35653. Phone: 256-332-1760. The Franklin County Watermelon Festival is held annually on the 3rd weekend of August. It started in 1981 and has grown
significantly! In 2013, Franklin County was designated as the "Watermelon Capital of Alabama" through the Alabama
Legislature. This two day festival is packed with various types of vendors & food! One staple of the Watermelon Festival is the Franklin County Cattlemen's Associations' Ribeye Steak Sandwiches! Another
festival-goer favorite is the roasted corn! But you can't beat FREE watermelon slices during our Opening Ceremony & our
Watermelon Contests! Along with vendors, the Watermelon Festival features a car show, character guests, 5K & 1 mile fun run! The Watermelon
Pageant is held prior to the festival where queens in each age category will be crowned along with Miss Watermelon
Queen. The Queens are presented at the Opening Ceremony on Friday night of the festival & Miss Watermelon Queen will
ceremonially cut the first watermelon! On both nights of the festival, guests can find live music on the Main Stage!We strive to find the perfect mixture of local favorites, tribute & cover bands, & nationally known artists! T-shirts & Post Cards are available as keepsakes for the Franklin County Watermelon Festival! Vendor & Contact information can be found on our website:
Franklin County Watermelon
Festival
Facebook page: Franklin County Watermelon FestivalInstagram: @fc_watermelon_festival
(UPDATED: July 25, 2023) (ADDED: July 29, 2013X)
- Grand Bay Watermelon Festival - July 3rd & 4th, 2018
Grand Bay Odd Fellows Festival Park, 10327 Taylor F. Harper
Blvd., Grand Bay, AL. Phone: 251-865-3456. Email:
ptripp524@yahoo.com.
On July 3rd GATE OPENS from 3 pm to 7 pm - No Admission charged
and NO free Watermelon. We will have Food, Arts & Crafts, & Ride
vendors and other entertainment. On July 4th GATE OPENS 8 am to 4
pm to $5 Per Vehicle Admission - With the Vendors, Music, Games,
all the Free Sliced Ice Cold Watermelon You Can Eat, Pretty Baby
Contest, and Open Car Show, ONLY on July 4th!!! Family Event so
NO Smoking and NO Pets allowed in Festival Area. No alcohol
allowed in the Park.
Alaska
Arkansas
- Cave City Watermelon Festival - July
City Park, 100 Park Street, Cave City, AR 72521.
Phone: (870) 283-5301. Email:
watermelonfestival@cavecity.us. The focus of the festival is still "The World's
Sweetest Watermelons" and the businesses of Cave City. The
festival has grown into a sort of homecoming. Family and class
reunions are planned around the festivities and at any given time
during the 3 days you will find old friends reunited once again.
For three days every August, people from across the country come
here to slow down and enjoy one of Arkansas' best festivals. If
you've never been, or have been away too long, we invite you to
grab a lawn chair and stay awhile.
Hope Watermelon Festival - over 40 years running,
typically held in early AUGUST BIGGER & BETTER THAN EVER , Thursday, Noon - 8 Pm / Friday, 10 Am - 9 Pm (You may choose to open earlier if you prefer.) Saturday, 8 Am - 9 Pm or Until Concert Ends.
Hope Fair Park, 800 Mockingbird
Lane, Hope, AR 71801. Phone: 870-777-3640. Email: hopemelonfest@yahoo.com.
Admission is Free. The Hope Watermelon festival features numerous
activities including arts & crafts, food, entertainment and other
family-oriented activities. Local civic clubs hold dinners
featuring such down-home fare as locally grown smoked chicken and
golden fried catfish. What else can you do at the festival? You
can participate in a 5 k race, take in a dog show, enter the
"Watermelon Idol" talent contest. The Urban Cowboy Reunion Tour
staring Mickey Gilley & Johnny Lee will headline the Friday night
concert in the park! Saturday night concert will see mark the
return of gospel music...Gospel Fest!
California
Colorado
- Arkansas Valley Fair Watermelon Day - over 140 years running, Saturday, in August
Rocky Ford Fairgrounds, 800
North 9th Street, Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067. Phone:
719-254-7723. Email:
avf@arkvalleyfair.com. Dogs, Cats & other PETS are NOT
permitted on the Fairgrounds during Fair Week, unless they are
essential aids to people with disabilities.
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
- Cordele Watermelon Festival - late June
Cordele,
GA. Phone: 229-273-3102. June, 2018 will mark Cordele's 69th
year celebrating the bountiful summer harvest with the
"Watermelon Days Festival". A month chock full of good, clean,
watermelon FUN! Visitors come from near and far to enjoy events
such as the 4H Dog Show, Seed Spitting Contest, Watermelon
Horseshoe Tournament, Fishing Rodeo, Watermelon Decorating
Contest, "Wedding Game", Watermelon Chunking Contest, Gospel
Singing and much, much more. If you happen to be one of those
visitors, be sure to take a ride on the SAM shortline excursion
train where the vintage 1949 air conditioned cars take you back
in time to the very first year Cordele hosted the Watermelon
Days Festival. Depending on which day you choose to take the 45
mile trip from Cordele to Archer, stops may include the Georgia
Veteran's State Park at Lake Blackshear, Leslie, Americus and/or
Plains, home of President Jimmy Carter. For a detailed schedule
of all of the events of this year's Festival, including the
grand finale celebration of July 4 fireworks on the beautiful
Flint River, click on the link above. See you there!
Illinois
Indiana
-
Jackson County Rock the Rind Watermelon Festival – First weekend in August
Downtown Square,
Brownstown, IN. Join us on the square for a weekend full of live music, great food, and tons of events! From the - Watermelon Patch - a
family friendly area jam packed with kid activities, to seed spitting, the watermelon steal, and more. The Jackson County Watermelon Festival is
home to ALL THINGS WATERMELON!
-
Knox County Watermelon Festival - Saturday,
August , 8 am to 8 pm (EST)
Patrick Henry Square,
Vincennes, Indiana. Email: info@knoxcountychamber.com. Directions: Located on the Historical George
Roger's Clark Memorial Site.
Knox County Chamber Of Commerce facebook page.
Schedule of Events:
8:00 5K
Run-Sponsored by Old National
9:30 Baby/Toddler
Contest-Sponsored by WZDM
1:00-3:00 FREE CONCERT
3:00 Seed Spitting/Watermelon
Eating Contest-Sponsored by
Willow Manor
4:00 Cutest Pet Contest-Sponsored by
Humane Society
6:00 Miss Watermelon Pageant- Sponsored by
WFML
Great American Grill Out (Sponsored by AT & T)
7am
Kids Games, Tasty Food Booths, Crafts and Flea Market
FREE
WATERMELON by Nowaskie Melons. (ADDED: July 29, 2013X)
-
Owensville Watermelon Festival - late August
Owensville, IN. Email:
owensvillewatermelon@gmail.com. Come join us for the festivities including rides, games,
food, pageants, talent show, run/walk, and parade!
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
- Monroe County Watermelon Festival - Saturday -
August ; held annually on the Saturday prior to Labor Day
downtown, Tompkinsville, KY. Phone: 270-487-5504. Email:
susan.turner@uky.edu. Join about 10,000 other folks for the
FREE 34th Annual Monroe County Watermelon Festival. The
festivities include 150 vendors selling arts and crafts,
commercial items and food, parade, quilt show, car show, and
antique tractors, and more. (ADDED: July 29, 2013X)
Louisiana
Maryland
- La Platta Watermelon Bash - July 4th from 10:30 AM
to 1:30 PM
Town Hall, La Platta, MAryland. Celebrate the 4th
of July at Town Hall. Join us for hot dogs, water slides, and
plenty of watermelon.
- Mardela Springs Annual Watermelon Festival - 17 years
running, late July
Wright's Market, 9300 Old Railroad Road
Rt. 50, Mardela Springs, Maryland 21837. Phone: (410) 742-8845.
Annual Watermelon Festival providing fun for the entire family.
Watermelon Seed Spit & Eating Contest, Watermelon Bowling,
Little Miss Watermelon Princess Contest, FREE Firetruck Rides,
Car Show, Tractor Show, Live Music with Barren Creek, Games,
Crafts and much more. FREE watermelon slices and corn on the cob
provided by Wright's Market. Delmar VFW and Delmar Lions Club
will prepare BBQ chicken, Hamburger and Hotdogs to raise money
for their cause. Northwestern's Relay For Life Team will be
selling drinks and sno-cones for the American Cancer Society.
Massachusetts
Maine
Michigan
- Howell Melon Festival - August
200 E. Grand
River Avenue , Howell, MI 48843. Phone: 517-546-0693. Email:
melonfest@howellrecreation.org. Melons, food, artists, vendors, run,
race, more: Annual Howell Melon Run200 E. Grand River Avenue, Doc May
Memorial Melon bike Ride on Saturday, August 15 9 am to 11 am.
This ride has become a Melon Festival Tradition and is our way of
celebrating the life and work of Dr. Pat May. The course is 15 miles and
highlights historic neighborhoods, the McPherson Park Bike Path,
Crosstown Trail, Howell City Park and Lakeview Cemetery. The ride ends
back at the Courthouse where melon ice cream will be served. All Riders
will receive a route map and commemorative t-shirt. Annual Howell
Melon Run on August 14. This is one of the most scenic and beautiful
run/walks through residential streets, historic Lakeview Cemetery, and
Howell City Park. The race starts and finishes in downtown Howell.
Click here for a link to our Facebook page.
(ADDED: May 09, 2015, JBS)
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
- Thurston Watermelon Days - September
Thurston, NE. There are vendors, entertainment, and events that will be
taking place. Tune into "Y101.3" in September for news about
Watermelon Days. Make sure to verify out our local businesses as
well as our Area Business Sponsors. Thank you to everyone who has
added us on Facebook
Tune into Channel 9.1 and 9.2 in September to see
our television ads.
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
-
Harbes Family Farm and Orchard
Watermelon Festival - Saturday and Sunday in August
5698 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901. Phone: 631-298-0800.
Alternate Phone: 631-298-0700. Fax: 631-298-1332. Email:
harbesfamilyfarm@gmail.com. Open:
see their website for the dates of this year's festival; normal hours
are early September to October 31 on weekends
from 9 am to 6 pm (Corn Maze open 7 pm to 10 pm).
Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Take the
LIE (495) east to exit 71. Make a left onto Edwards Avenue and continue
north for 4 miles. Make a right on Sound Avenue. Continue East on Sound
Avenue for 8.6 miles. The farm is on the north side (left) of the road. The
orchard is 1 mile west of Harbes Family Farm and Vineyard.
Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
Celebrate the sweetest festival in town at Harbes Farm & Vineyard's Annual Watermelon Festival oin us for two Watermelon Eating Contests daily at 2:30 &
4:30. There will also be watermelon games, pig races, hayrides, live music, @harbesvineyard wines, and, of course, fresh delicious watermelon! Hours:
10-7.*Watermelon Eating Contests require Barnyard admission. You can't miss participating in one of our FREE
fun-filled watermelon eating contests for all ages! Farmer Fred will be
emceeing what has become one of Harbes Farm & Vineyard's most anticipated summer events. We will be holding three contests daily in our courtyard area.
Seating is limited so be sure to arrive early! Farmer Fred will be hosting exciting watermelon games for the kids throughout the day! They will have tons of
fun taking part in our watermelon rolling races and seed spitting challenges. Mom and dad will have fun cheering them on. FREE LIVE MUSIC will be available
to enjoy in our courtyard/picnic area both days from 1 pm to 5 pm. .Harbes u- pick
orchard also features an evening spooky walk corn maze. (UPDATED: September 6, 2023, JBS)
North Carolina
Ohio
- Dresden Melon Festival - August
Dresden,
OH 43821. Phone: 740-754-3151. Alternate phone: 740-252-2651.
Email: abbytig@gmail.com.
A family friendly event for all ages, celebrating Dresden's
melon-growing heritage, set on the banks of the scenic Muskingum
River. Events include live music, 5K, kids games, family puppet
show, petting zoo, cruise-in, tractor pull, melon growing
contest, melon derby race, archery lessons, fishing tournament,
food, and beer garden. Free parking at Tri-Valley High School,
shuttle provided. Melon Growing Contest: Cash Prizes for
heaviest watermelon, largest cantaloupe, and sweetest
cantaloupe, start planning now!!
Oklahoma
Oregon
- Irrigon Watermelon Festival - held annually in
July.
Irrigon Marinara Park, Irrigon, Oregon 97844. Join us
in Irrigon for the anual Irrigon Watermelon Festival!
Food-Fun-Games and Entertainment all day long! And Bellinger
Farms Watermelons! We will have a Life Flight chopper coming in to
land on our baseball field at 12:30, be sure to sign up for
their valuable service while there. We have a car show too, in
the shade by the river, so if you have a nice ride or a classic
car you like to show off, come on down!!! A 5k color fun-run
supporting Grid Kids of Irrigon! Lots of local vendors, sure to
be something for everyone! Our flyer (on their Facebook page)
says it all. See ya'll there!!
- Winston-Dillard Melon Festival - 50 years running,
mid September, 3 days, weekend
Riverbend Park, Winston,
Oregon. Come on Down and have a good time at Melon Festival! We
will have 3 on 3 basketball, mud volley ball, competitions like
men's knees comp., dog comp. chilli cook off, don't forget the
vendors, and our annual raffle we have lots of great prizes to
give away. Bring your kids to we will have games, crafts for
them to enjoy and lots for them to see during the parade on
Saturday, at 11 am. We have live music for your entertainment so
come listen while you enjoy one of our delicious BBQ dinners on
Saturday and Sunday! Are you brave enough to get up on stage? If
so don't forget to sign up for the talent show being held on
Sunday!
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
- Green River Watermelon Festival Melon Days - September
OK Anderson Green River City Park, Green River, UT
84525. Phone: (435) 820-0592. Email:
grmelondays@yahoo.com..
Melon Queen and Princess Pageants. Melon Cruise Car Show. The
car show will also be the weekend prior to Melon Days..
Community Day at OK Anderson City Park, 6 pm - This is a
activity for the residents of Green River. There will be a meal
provided by one of our local food establishments and games for
the kids. The carnival and bounce houses also open
3-Man
Scramble Tournament, Concert Friday night at the John Wesley
Powell River History Museum. Melon Run Saturday. Scout Pancake
Breakfast; The local Boy Scout Patrol 289 is again doing their
Pancake breakfast at OK Anderson Park at the pavilion (in the
middle of town). Saturday during Melon Days, Starting at 7am to 9am.
Melon Days Parade - The parade will be on Saturday
morning starting on or around 10am. The parade lineup will be at
the City Maintenance Building (545 West Main) across from NAPA
and will end at the Book Cliff Lodge (735 East Main). Please
line up by 9:30. Melon Queens and Princesses PerformThe Melon
Queens and Princesses will perform their talents at the city
park at noon on Saturday. Melon Days Fun Shoot Saturday, starts
at noon at Green River Shooting Range. Softball Tournament
Men's & Coed. Square Dancing Friday 7-10pm and Saturday
8-10:30pm; $6 per person per dance. Raffle, door prizes and lots
of fun. Melon Games & Melon Carving Contest.
Vermont
Virginia
- Carytown Watermelon Festival - Sunday typically in mid August
Carytown, Virginia. .115,000 people, over 3000 watermelons and
you! With 80 musicians, over 100 exhibitors, one of the largest
kids areas of any festival on the east coast and all of the
great Carytown style, the Carytown Watermelon Festival presented
by Martin's has become the largest one day festival in the state
of Virginia.
Click here for a link to our Facebook page.
Washington, D.C.
Washington State
West Virginia
Wisconsin
- Pardeeville Watermelon Festival - Always the first Saturday after Labor Day, Saturday, September
Chandler Park, Pardeeville, WII 53954. Phone: 608-514-1926.
Email:
info@pardeevillewatermelonfestival.com. Festival hosted by
the United States Watermelon Speed-Eating & Seed Spitting
Championships, Inc. A staple of our free festival, is the open
air market. Our market showcases art and craft vendors from all
over the area, plus a flea market and commercial vendors such
Avon, Scentsy, and Tupperware. The fair opens at 10 am until
about 3 pm. The last few years, we've had between 20 and 40
vendors spread out around the event grounds.
- Stanley Watermelon Festival - held on the Last Sunday in July;
Chapman Park, Stanley, WI.
Annual Stanley Lions Watermelon Festival held at Chapman Park.
Flea Market starts at 8 a.m. Charcoal Chicken serving starts at
10:30 am Car Show 10 a.m. Children's Games 3 p.m. Free
watermelon starting at 11 a.m. Raffle on grounds. Contact
Information: (715) 644-3638 (General Info), (715) 644-5298 (Flea
Market) and (715) 644-5376 (Car Show).
British Columbia
Manitoba
Nova Scotia
Ontario
- Straffordville Watermelon Festival - August
Straffordville, Ontario, Canada. Watermelon
Fest Straffordville Firehall Pancake breakfast 7am, parade at
10am, Silent Auction at the community centre, free admission to
enjoy food booths, craft vendors, musical entertainment, games &
activities for all ages and family movie in the park at
dusk...bring your blankets and lawn chairs!
Italy
(English websites)