The festival includes a grand parade featuring tractors, horses, classic cars, and some FOX 7 Austin favorites. [emailprotected]. Watermelons have been consumed by humans for at least 5,000 years. From venues, restaurants, and bars to events, festivals, and music weve got you covered. There will be slices of watermelon, there will also be a watermelon-eating contest, a seed-spitting contest, kiddie rides, food and craft vendors, a beer garden, the famous BBQ Cook-Off and live music. Website maintained by Vicki LeBlanc Media. 2022 . How the McDade Watermelon Festival beganThe McDade Watermelon Festival is one of the most successful & longest running festivals in the State of Texas.World War II was over and the soldiers came home to the little town McDade. Queen Olivia Johnson is the 21-year-old daughter of Mr. Shelby and Renee Johnson, and in her lifetime she has been rooted in the watermelon industry through the sixth generation farm family of which she is a part. Vendor applications for 2023 will be on the website in February, 2023 Admission: $5 - $25 Days/Hours Open: Thu 5pm12 midnight, Fri 5pm12 midnight, Sat 11am12 midnight, Sun 9am6pm Address: 421 E. Davis Street, Luling, TX 78648 Entertainment: 3 stages - National, Regional. Family Fun. 6:30 PM Johnson is now a Senior Nutrition Major at Texas A&M, and after graduation she hopes to work in the watermelon industry. An estimated 2,400 people attended the inaugural parade. Were so excited for this years festivities and cant wait to announce the official event schedule. I just get to promote an industry that means so much to my family and I, and that I hold near and dear to my heart.. https://thepressreleaseengine.com/Watermelon+Festival-lnid2022-6182-5994 Festival ; Watermelon ; Texas ; Hempstead ; Watermelon ; Hempstead ; Festival ; Texas ; city ; June ; 2022 ; The ; of ; 29 ; Hempstead Texas Watermelon Festival Watermelon Pickers Fest is a family-friendly music festival created by Shepherds Ford Productions that is located just outside of Berryville, VA. Festivities include Concerts, Dances, Workshops, Band & Pickin' Contests, Kid's Activities, Open Jams, Food & Craft Vendors, and more. They did establish a community tradition that has withstood the changing demographics of McDade. To be in our 2022 Grande Parade. It was widely grown throughout the country and especially in the South. It definitely was fun getting to meet with other state association members that I hadnt gotten to meet as Texas queen, all the girls that I competed against we referred to ourselves as Watermelon Sisters and it was our last time to be together while competing against each other for the national title, said Queen Johnson. Free. We cant wait to have you join us! . Now that Johnsonhas earned the national title, she has a list of additional responsibilities to the watermelon industry, through the National Watermelon Association, for which she is proud to represent. The 42nd annual Cave City Watermelon Festival is slated to begin Thursday (July 28) and run through Saturday (July 30). This snack is $4.75. The Franklin County Watermelon Festival began in 1981 and is the largest festival in Franklin County. Franklin County || Chamber of Commerce uses Accessibility Checker to monitor our website's accessibility. A.W. Sandwiches, soda, ice cream, an "umpah pah" band, election & coronation of the Festival Queens and a parade were the order of the day. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To accompany Queen Olivia on her journey, follow the National Watermelon Queen on Facebook and Instagram. 'Tis the season for juicy watermelon that's celebrated at the annual festival featuring this favorite summery fruit. This watermelon festival does just the trick to keep the heat at bay for the average melon-head. Its ancestors had a white flesh and were not very sweet, according to Live Science. Hempstead . "I think the grand champion was 141 something pounds," Duggan said. Hundreds gathered for one of the longest running festivals in Texas. The Hope Watermelon festival features numerous activities including arts & crafts, food, entertainment and other family-oriented activities. Our Mission Is to provide a safe venue for the public to socialize, shop, eat, and enjoy the entertainment for ALL AGES!!! Please read the vendor guidelines prior to submission. Many were excited about the new event this year, the Sweatin Melons 5K. The 2023 Hempstead Watermelon Festival is two days of festivities in honor of the crop that made our town famous! To the left are 2018-2020 school years Teachers who received grants. What will ending the COVID-19 emergency look like in the US? The pageant is very much in a job interview format, you do a speech competition, an interview with a panel of judges, a video interview, an impromptu question, a promotional wear competition and then an evening gown competition, said Johnson. City of Alamo's Watermelon Festival & Cook-off is a great event for hot days, free cold watermelon. I guess they were kind of predicting my future, joked Johnson, as she spoke with Shelby County Today. News? Well, now it's the 5k," Miller said. Talk Business & Politics is a news website that covers business, politics and culture in Arkansas. 547 were here. Unfortunately they did not win the Farmers-Stockman prize money, they did win a prestigious Honorable Mention. They did establish a tradition that has out lived watermelons as a prize cash crop. Thursday, March 23, 2023 Send an email to info@franklincountychamber.org to be added to our application list!Check-In & Set Up Times:FOOD VENDORS 12:30 PMALL OTHER VENDORS 2:30 PM*Vendors must check-in at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce to receive their booth assignment*ALL VENDORS MUST BE IN THEIR DESIGNATED SPACE AND READY FOR THE FESTIVAL TO BEGIN AT 5:00 PM FRIDAY AND 9:00 AM SATURDAY. Dallas Farmers Market Watermelon Festival 2022 Aug 2022 Dates Unconfirmed | Dallas, TX | Food Festival information may not be up to date due to COVID-19, but you can view our list of cancellations here. The idea was embraced enthusiastically by all and the McDade Watermelon Festival was created. They did raise money for the school chairs. Hempstead Commerce & Civic Association It's toe-tappin' entertainment and awesome eats. My first event as National Watermelon Queen is March 5th through 11th and Ill be attending the North Carolina Watermelon Association Convention.. E: info@urbanmatter.com McDade Watermelon Festival 143 Bastrop St McDade TX 78650 Phone: +1.512.736.4302 E-mail: info@mcdadetexas.com Some history that was written in 1998 for our 50th Anniversary on the Watermelon Festival in McDade. March 1, 2023 - Shelby County's own Olivia Johnson has received a national title as she was crowned the National Watermelon Queen at the 108th Annual National Watermelon Convention in Asheville, North Carolina on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Bill Clinton attended as the guest of honor. Saturday night's four new queens (starting second from left) Sage Bell, Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival Outstanding Teen; Miss Belle of the D'Arbonne Outstanding Teen Sachiri Henderson; Anna Claire Lemoine, Miss Belle of the D'Arbonne; Jourdan Waddell, Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival 2022, pose for a photo with pageant directors Darra Jung (far left . Anything that involves watermelon, she will get to attend as National Queen. We are back in the saddle and excited to be hosting the 18th annual Fest at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in 2022. Info? The past national queen, she did over 100 promotions and got to travel all the states that grow watermelons, she also got to go to California, said Johnson. The farmers market organization will share recipes for using watermelons leading up to the event, and visitors get a free slice of Texas-grown watermelon the day of the event. www.texasfarmersmarket.org. You'll find live music, food & beverages. of . We look forward to seeing everyonethis year atthe 73rdMcDade Watermelon Festival 2022on July 9th. Hundreds gathered Saturday for one of the longest running festivals in Texas, the 73rd Annual McDade Watermelon Festival. Kick up your heels & have a good time. FOX 7 Austins Meredith Aldis asked. Family Fun - McDade Watermelon Festival 73rd McDade Watermelon Festival July 9, 2022 Nothing Comes Between Me & My Watermelon! & Civic Association Always the LAST FULL weekend of June SINCE 1954. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A committee consisting of President: Walter Kastner, Vice President: Arthur Kastner Jr, Junior Vice Presidents: Morris Kastner & Ernestine Wolf, Secretary: Ethel Field, County Agent C.A.Stone. As the National Watermelon Queen Im the promotional ambassador for the National Watermelon Association, said Johnson. A host of other events will be held Saturday including the Melon Dash 5-K, the Cave City Cruisers Car Show, Watermelon Parade, Watermelon Growers Games, and many other activities are slated. Deep down South in Alamo, Texas, cool, juicy slices of watermelon aim to slay the scorching Texan sun. by George Jared([emailprotected]) July 28, 2022 8:04 am 2,937 views. Festival organizers said the money raised continues to help the local schools as well as youth programs, the food bank, library, and historical museum. It has been noted that famed Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen had watermelon seeds buried in his tomb. 29 . With a crowd estimated at 1,000 the first Annual McDade Festival was deemed a success.The festival has grown, changed & evolved through the years. Come join us, we're sure you'll have a great time! All activities except the parade are held at the beautiful Stockdale city park. Street Dance July 8th. Im going to love it, I loved my time as Texas Queen and now I just get to do it even more as National Queen, said Johnson. The De Leon Peach and Melon Festival is one of the oldest Festivals in Texas! The traveling is pretty consistent, but at each event it can go from a three day event, a one day event, I get to attend many different things that I have sponsorship for, said Johnson. 2023 Hempstead Watermelon Festival. It's antique cars and old-time parades. What else can you do at the festival? Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Sparklight. 18 . There was one problem, however. Gallery; Schedule of Events; For Vendors; Parade; . Wander back here for updates on the BBQ cookoff, live entertainment, watermelon contests and more. All Rights Reserved. McDade Watermelon Festival All Rights Reserved. Other watermelon varieties were developed through the years and it became a popular fruit in Africa and parts of Asia. It was held at the temporary school, the McCarty house. McDade Watermelon Festival Street Dance! 2022 Watermelon Festival Queens. *Vendors must check-in at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce to receive their booth assignment*, 2022 Franklin County Watermelon Festival Pageant Queens, 2023 Franklin County Watermelon Festival Sponsors. Phone: +1.512.736.4302. You can participate in a 5 k race, participate . Public response was positive and spontaneous. MCDADE, Texas - The heat didnt keep people from heading out to the 73rd Annual McDade Watermelon Festival. You can also sign up for daily e-mail news delivered every morning to your inbox. Box 16 | Hempstead, Texas 77445 | 979.921.5095 | howdy@growhempstead.com 2023 Hempstead Watermelon . This Years 19th Annual Festival will be held Sept. 14-16, 2023 at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in beautiful Berryville Va. Free camping with ticket, kids 12 and under free. The contest was to be of one that would benefit & interest to the whole community. Hempstead . Johnson described the conventions as a gathering of all the association members, which also will include their own pageants to crown their new state queens. Along with various watermelon-related activities, there's barbecue cook offs, street dancing, quilt and car shows, live entertainment, and more. My dad definitely shed some tears when my name was announced, said Johnson. Wander back here for updates on the BBQ cookoff, live entertainment, watermelon contests and more. FOX 7 Austin Join us July (to be announced) for a family-friendly event that's got something for absolutely everyone. When Cave City held its first festival, then Gov. Watermelon . Locals compete for prize melon status. 202 Field Street, Center, Texas 75935 The Hempstead Watermelon festival is a wholesome summer festival fit for the entire family. Hempstead Watermelon Festival. MAP Always the 2nd Saturday in July! As National Watermelon Queen you get to meet with so many different companies, whether those are packers, or farms, feed companies and so you get a lot of job opportunities as National Watermelon Queen, said Johnson. "It's important, it kind of puts our name on the map, it gets people out," McDade Watermelon Festival 5K chairperson Amanda Miller said. Stay tuned for announcements by signing up for our monthly Newsletter. Since 1980, they've invited the rest of the world to dispute or embrace the claim. 2022 Arts & Crafts Vendor Info. . Contact us today to learn which sponsorship is right for you! Festival . A Watermelon Festival representative will be sure to get right back to you. They were all so thrilled with Queen Olivias achievement. Austin police release photos of suspects, vehicles involved in reckless driving incidents. But, as in the 71 year history of the Festival, there have been no rainout! Genetic tests show that watermelons originated in Sudan in Africa. ****Pre Sale Tractor Pull Tickets Buy Now****** BUY TRACTOR PULL TICKETS Box 16| Hempstead, Texas 77445 | 979.921.5095 | [emailprotected] McDade Watermelon Festival is74years old but due to COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 the festival experienced it's first ever cancelation in history! 2022 Hempstead Watermelon Festival. Family Fun McDade Watermelon Festival Amended bylaws were adopted in 1985, stating that the proceeds from the festival will go to organizations that fall under the category of "For the Betterment of the Community".The Watermelon Festival organizers met their objectives with the 1st festival. Here at UrbanMatter, we pride ourselves on leading the charge when it comes to Austin entertainment. We welcome you back for 2022 and look forward to sharing another great year! We do it for the BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY! First celebrated in 1937, the Stockdale Watermelon Jubilee is one of the oldest watermelon festivals in Texas. 2023 Vendor Applications are in the works! NOTE: NO ELECTRICITY WILL BE PROVIDED. Its a seed-spittin, melon-eatin, small-town celebratin kind of weekend and its a whole lot of fun, too. McDade Watermelon Festival All Rights Reserved, e'd like to invite you to the McDade Street Dance and we are kickin' our heels high & prep'n our giddy-up just for the occasion! Come on out & bring your 2step'n partner for some dancing fun with. All Rights Reserved. the 73rd Annual McDade Watermelon Festival. contact us. The 1st McDade Watermelon Festival was held on Thursday, July 1, 1948. P.O. 2022 Miss Watermelon Festival Queen: Miss Sophie Hill. 1,634 people like this 1,755 people follow this http://hempsteadwatermelonfestival.com/ Festival Photos See all Videos See all 3:09 Please Click for more info & application. The Austin Police Department (APD) is asking for the community's help identifying suspects and vehicles involved in the citywide reckless driving "street takeover" incidents on Feb. 18. LULING WATERMELON THUMP JUNE 22-25, 2023 Always the LAST FULL weekend of June SINCE 1954 They did create a tradition of community spirit with the first festival that is still shared by their heirs, relatives, friends and the people of McDade community today. The first McDade Watermelon Festival was held in 1948 to raise money for the McDade school that burned down. Contact the HCCA with questions regarding the 2022 Hempstead Watermelon Festival, and we'll reach back out to you as soon as possible! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________, Partnership Banquet Tickets The . Queens will be presented at the Watermelon Festival Opening Ceremony on August 19th. 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