FRANKLIN COUNTY WATERMELON FESTIVAL 2023

August 18-19, 2023

 

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Download our Watermelon Festival Brochure!

Check out our photo gallery


Festival Hours:

Friday, August 18: 5:45 PM – 10 PM
Saturday, August 19: 10 AM – 10 PM


Attendance Rules



Watermelon Festival Vendor Information

2023 Franklin County Watermelon Festival Vendor Application


To complete the vendor application, please do the following:

  1. Click to open the fillable PDF (this opens the file in your browser; do not open in Google Docs)
  2. Complete all form fields
  3. SAVE the PDF to your device
  4. Email completed PDF to director@franklincountychamber.org

“Early Bird” Discount Deadline is Friday, June 9, 2023.
Vendor Application Deadline is Monday, July 10, 2023.

Check-In & Set Up Times:
FOOD VENDORS – 11:00 AM
ALL OTHER VENDORS – 2:00 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.

Vendor Rules & Regulations


Watermelon in the Park – Cutting & Contests

Russellville First Baptist Church Park
201 Washington Ave NW, Russellville, AL 35653

10 AM – Registration
11 AM – Weighing & Judging Starts
12 PM – Winners Announced

Watermelon Contests Categories:

Largest Weighing Watermelon from Franklin County
Largest Weighing Watermelon
Most Unusual Watermelon
Best Tasting Watermelon
Best Dressed Watermelon
Seed Spitting Contest

Watermelon Festival Contest Rules


Watermelon Pageant Information

2023 Franklin County Watermelon Pageant
Saturday, July 15, 2023

Apply now!

Deadline for applications is Friday, June 16, by 4:00 PM. 


2022 Franklin County Watermelon Festival Pageant Queens

Queens will be presented at the Watermelon Festival Opening Ceremony on August 19th. The Watermelon Festival Queen (Age 18-21) will also be responsible for cutting the first watermelon at the Opening Ceremony, awarding prizes at the Watermelon Festival, riding in the Russellville Christmas Parade on Thursday, December 1, 2022 and crowning at the 2023 Watermelon Pageant. 

2022 Miss Watermelon Festival Queen:
Miss Sophie Hill

 


Watermelon Run 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run

 

5K and 1 Mile Fun Run!

Saturday, August 21, 2021
Russellville High School Field House
Race Day Registration begins at 6:00 AM

5K begins at 7:30 AM with the 1 Mile Fun Run beginning immediately after.

For more information & online registration: https://watermelonfestival5k.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=6063 

 

*Presented by the Russellville High School Cross Country Team*

Main Stage Entertainment Line Up

 

Friday (8/18)

5:45 PM – Opening Ceremony
National Anthem: Coming Soon!


7:00 PM
– Tremayne


8:30 PM – Velcro Pygmies

Saturday (8/19) 

6:00 PM – REWIND


7:00 PM – Austin Bohannon


8:30 PM – Colt Ford

 


2023 Franklin County Watermelon Festival Sponsors

Information about 2023 Franklin County Watermelon Festival Sponsorship can be found here.
info@franklincountychamber.org
256-332-1760

 


American Champion Sponsors

 


Royal Jubilee Sponsors


Legacy Sponsors


Crimson Sweet Sponsors

Valley Credit Union

Community Spirit Bank

TriGreen Equipment

Franklin County Times

 

Econo Lodge

Country Cottage

Oliver Creamery


Liberty Sponsors


Harmony Sponsors

J.T. Ray Company
Babes & Tots Group Home Daycare
Franklin Electric Cooperative
 

Voted Best of the Best 2021, 2022, & 2023!

Franklin County Watermelon Festival
Voted Best Adults and Children’s Events in the Tennessee Valley


The Franklin County Watermelon Festival began in 1981 and is the largest festival in Franklin County.

This spectacular family event offers two days of non-stop music, contests and entertainment, as well as, a pageant, arts & crafts, 5k run, antique car & truck show, tasty festival foods, tractor show, and a slice of FREE watermelon!


Franklin County Declared the
Watermelon Capital of Alabama

In 2013, Senator Roger Bedford and Representative Johnny Mack Morrow was successful in passing a resolution in the Alabama Legislature declaring Franklin County “Watermelon Capital of Alabama”.

WF Capital

From Left to Right: Representative Johnny Mack Morrow, Senator Roger Bedford, Bobby Bolton originator of the annual Watermelon Festival, Cassie Medley, Franklin County Executive Director, Russellville Mayor David Grissom, Kreg Kennedy, District Field Representative for U. S. Senator Robert Aderholt, Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce President (2013) Mike Shewbart.