RUSSELLVILLE — Plenty of sweet juicy fun is on tap the third weekend in August with the combination of summer’s favorite fruit and an incredible music lineup during the annual Watermelon Festival in Russellville.
Set for Aug. 19-20, the Watermelon Festival offers arts and crafts, a variety of watermelon contests, car and truck show, food vendors, children’s activities, games and musical entertainment, along with free samples of watermelon. Admission is free.
The festival weekend begins with opening ceremonies at 5:45 p.m. on Aug. 19 with music performers taking the stage both days at 6 p.m.
Aug. 19 music lineup
5:45 p.m. – Opening Ceremony (National anthem performed by Cassandra James)
6 p.m. – Cody Bowen
7 p.m. – Joseph Baldwin Band
8:30 p.m. – Velcro Pygmies
Aug. 20 music lineup
6 p.m. – Tremayne
7 p.m. – REWIND of the Shoals
8:30 p.m. – Thompson Square
Watermelon seed spitting, largest melon, best-tasting melon, and most unusual and best-dressed melons contests highlight the festival.
More than 100 vehicles are expected for the car and truck show Aug. 20. Additional activities include a 5K run and 1-mile fun run, character guests to entertain the children and the Franklin County Extension Office contests.
The event was voted Best Adults and Children’s Events in the Tennessee Valley in a reader’s choice poll conducted by the Franklin County Times for the past two years.
The Watermelon Festival started in 1981 as the vision of a local businessman for local farmers to gather and sell their harvest of watermelons. It is now a premier tourist event attracting thousands of visitors each year to the North Alabama community for two days of entertainment. In 2013, Russellville and Franklin County earned the distinction of Watermelon Capital of Alabama from the Alabama Legislature.
All activities take place along Main Street (Jackson Avenue).
Hours are 6 – 10 p.m. Aug. 19 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 20.
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