Join Alabama’s Watermelon Capital for the 43rd Annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival!
This spectacular family event offers two days of non-stop arts and crafts, a variety of watermelon contests, car and truck shows, food vendors, children’s activities, games, and musical entertainment, along with FREE samples of watermelon!
The festival kicks off on Friday evening with an opening ceremony introducing the Watermelon Pageant Queen and the cutting of the first watermelon! Each evening the main stage lights up with performances from a variety of genres.
Contests:
Enjoy a fresh, sweet slice of watermelon on Saturday morning in the park while you peruse watermelon contest entries in categories such as “Best Dressed,” “Best Tasting,” to “Most Unusual.” Set your watch for noon on Saturday to witness the weighing of the largest watermelons around!
Activities:
More than 100 vehicles are expected for the car and truck show on Saturday morning, and additional activities include a 5K run and 1-mile fun run, character guests to entertain the children, and live music.
Accolades:
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 four years. All activities take place along Main Street (Jackson Avenue). Hours are 6-10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday.
Pack your sunscreen and lawn chair.
When:
Friday and Saturday, August 16 – 17, 2024
Schedule of Events:
Friday August 16
6:00 p.m. – Festival Begins
6:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremony, Main Stage
7:00 p.m. – Tremayne
8:30 p.m. – LOVER: An Eras Tour Experience
Saturday, August 17
7:30 a.m. – Watermelon 5K Begins (1 Mile Fun Run immediately after)
10:00 a.m. – Festival Begins
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Character Guests, in front of Valley State Bank
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Watermelon Contests, Russellville First Baptist Church Park
6:00 p.m. – Rewind of the Shoals
7:00 p.m. – Austin Bohannon
8:30 p.m. – Colin Stough
10:00 p.m. – Festival Ends
Where:
Downtown Russellville
103 N. Jackson Ave.
Russellville, AL
For additional information:
Visit the Franklin County Chamber website or social pages.
