2023 Franklin County Watermelon Festival
August 18-19, 2023
Welcome to the Watermelon Capital of Alabama!
The Watermelon Festival started in 1981 and has grown into the largest festival in Franklin County!
This two day festival is FREE to attend! We have food and craft vendors, live music, watermelon contests, 5K and Fun Run, car shows, and FREE watermelon!
Attendance Rules
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, August 18, 2023
6:00 – Festival Begins
6:45 PM – Opening Ceremony, Main Stage
7:00 PM – Tremayne
8:30 PM – The Velcro Pygmies
10:00 PM – Festival Ends
Saturday, August 19, 2023
7:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Car Show
7:30 AM – Watermelon 5K Begins (1 Mile Fun Run immediately after)
10:00 AM – Festival Begins
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Character Guests, in front of Valley State Bank
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Watermelon Contests, Russellville First Baptist Church Park
6:00 PM – Rewind of the Shoals
7:00 PM – Austin Bohannon
8:30 PM – Colt Ford
10:00 PM – Festival Ends
WATERMELON T-SHIRTS
Mr. Ant & his famous Watermelon T-shirts have returned with NEW colors in 2023!
2023 Watermelon Festival T-shirts come in the following colors:
Navy, Tropical Blue, Safety Pink, Kiwi, & Sports Grey.
We have also added a Watermelon Cap to our collection!
These Richardson 112 Trucker Caps are embroidered & have a breathable mesh back!
Official Watermelon Festival shirts can only be purchased at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce (103 Jackson Ave N, Russellville, AL 35653)
Sizes & Pricing are as follows: 
Infant – $10
– 6 months
– 12 months
– 18 months
– 2T
– 3T
– 4T
Youth – $15
– XS
– S
– M
– L
– XL
Adult – $15
– S
– M
– L
– XL
– 2XL ($18)
– 3XL ($18)
– 4XL ($18)
Long Sleeve – $20
– S
– M
– L
– XL
– 2XL
Watermelon Caps – $25
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Festival Hours
Friday, August 18: 5:45 PM – 10 PM
Saturday, August 19: 10 AM – 10 PM
Friday, August 18 (5:45 PM – 10:00 PM)
5:45 PM – Opening Ceremony (FREE WATERMELON)
National Anthem – Tara Greenhill
7:00 PM – Tremayne
8:30 PM – Velcro Pygmies
Saturday, August 19 (10:00 AM – 10:00 PM)
7:00 AM – Car & Truck Show
7:30 AM – Watermelon 5k and Fun Run
10:00 AM – Character Guests (until noon)
11:00 AM – Watermelon in the Park – Cutting & Contests (FREE WATERMELON)
11:00 AM – Watermelon Contests Registration
12:00 PM – Watermelon Contests Judging
1:00 PM – Watermelon Contests Winners Announced
5:30 PM – FREE WATERMELON (beside Main Stage)
6:00 PM – Rewind of the Shoals
7:00 PM – Austin Bohannon
8:30 PM – Colt Ford
Information & Registration for the Watermelon 5K & Fun Run: https://watermelonfestival5k.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=6063
Call Bart Bolton (256-668-3542) or Nicole Stancil (256-412-5724) for information about the Car & Truck Show or the Light Up the Night Car Show.
Watermelon in the Park – Cutting & Contests
Russellville First Baptist Church Park
201 Washington Ave N, Russellville, AL 35653
Saturday, August 20, 2022
11:00 AM – Registration
12:00 PM – Judging
1:00 PM – Winners Announced
Watermelon Contest Categories:
Largest Watermelon (from Franklin County)
Largest Watermelon (from anywhere)
Best Tasting Watermelon
Best Dressed Watermelon
Most Unusual Watermelon
Watermelon Seed Spitting
Watermelon Festival Contest Rules
2023 WATERMELON FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Contact our office for information regarding Franklin County Watermelon Festival Sponsorship.
[email protected]
256-332-1760
American Champion Sponsors
Royal Jubilee Sponsors
Legacy Sponsors
