Initiated by efforts made by Franklinton Mayor Greg Route, the Town of Franklinton, and Parish President Richard "Ned" Thomas, along with local growers and interested parties, the watermelon association that held the Washington Parish Watermelon Festival in the past has been legally reorganized and re-formed.
The non-profit organization's stated purpose is the marketing of Washington Parish agricultural products, promoting the "branding" of the Washington Parish name as it relates to local products, and promoting, sponsoring, and organizing the Washington Parish Watermelon Festival, and supporting education based expertise to growers.
This year the Watermelon Festival will be held July 7th-9th, the weekend after the Forth of July, at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds in Franklinton. The different events are named after popular watermelon varieties to promote the Washington Parish watermelon crop.
Family friendly festivities will begin Friday evening with a parade procession following the route of the Fair Parade, stopping to have a formal flag raising ceremony led by the American Legion, then proceeding to the rodeo arena for the community-wide "Star Brite Sweet Heart Dance". A live band accompanied by a DJ will perform at the event where various musical genre are guaranteed to appeal to all musical tastes. Everyone is encouraged to bring a sweetheart, find a sweetheart, or for those who do not dance (or find a sweetheart), just enjoy the music and fellowship which will be followed by a spectacular "Moon & Stars Fireworks Show" launched from the Midway.
Saturday will be filled with live entertainment, various watermelon contests, the "Crimson Sweet Fire Truck Hose Down", and the "Georgia Rattlesnake Ranch Style Rodeo". Sunday will start with the "Summer Flavor Gospel Singing Program" in the morning hours, then more live entertainment, contests, and the "Sangria (Blood-Letting) Bull Riding" contest.
There will be a Washington Parish Watermelon Festival Queen pageant for ages 0 to 20 years of age in three age brackets (requirements are different for each age group).
The Festival plans to host multiple contests throughout the festival. Among the contests are the "Allsweet Car Show", "Jubilee Tractor Show", "Charleston Grey Frog Jumping" competition for children, "Black Diamond Turtle Race" for children, "Sugar Baby Three Legged Race", "Gold Strike Greased Pig Catching" contest for children, and many others. Of course there will be the "Legacy Watermelon Awards"- including but not limited to a seed spitting, taste testing, eating, and watermelon judging competitions.
Prior to the Festival there will be the Watermelon Festival Ranch Queen contest. Winners of the contest will be recognized at the "Georgia Rattlesnake Ranch Style Rodeo" on July 8th.
Attendance at the Watermelon Festival is free, although there will be a small $5 admission fee for the rodeo.
