Hempstead Commerce I truly enjoy meeting the different growers, educating consumers and getting to travel and meet with different people that are part of the watermelon industry.. 2023 Hempstead Watermelon Festival. . Watermelon by the slice, live entertainment and an assortment of other activities will make you forget about that potential for third-degree burns. They did establish a tradition that has out lived watermelons as a prize cash crop. Anything that involves watermelon, she will get to attend as National Queen. Since 1980, theyve invited the rest of the world to dispute or embrace the claim. Enjoy booths with fair food favorites, live music, and arts & craft vendors. Contact the HCCA with questions regarding the 2022 Hempstead Watermelon Festival, and we'll reach back out to you as soon as possible! Stay tuned for announcements by signing up for our monthly Newsletter. An estimated 2,400 people attended the inaugural parade. Phone: 956.787.6622. Queen Olivia is very enthusiastic about what experiences lay ahead for her as National Watermelon Queen. The 42nd annual Cave City Watermelon Festival is slated to begin Thursday (July 28) and run through Saturday (July 30). Public response was positive and spontaneous. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Festival . They did establish a community tradition that has withstood the changing demographics of McDade. What else can you do at the festival? Phone: 936-591-9334 or 936-332-4845 Queen Olivia was one of seven contestants vying for the title of National Watermelon Queen. Wander back here for updates on the BBQ cookoff, live entertainment, watermelon contests and more. Annual Historical Festival in Hempstead Texas, known as the watermelon capital of Texas. 18 . watermelon festival events in McDade 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. 979.921.5095 Its believed that the African slave trade in the 1600s led to the fruit making its trans-Atlantic crossing into the Americas. The 42nd annual Cave City Watermelon Festival is slated to begin Thursday (July 28) and run through Saturday (July 30). Always the third weekend in June, the Jubilee is a refreshing slice of summer time fun. MCDADE, Texas - The heat didnt keep people from heading out to the 73rd Annual McDade Watermelon Festival. So,when you come to our Watermelon Festival, wewant to say THANK YOU! ****Pre Sale Tractor Pull Tickets Buy Now****** BUY TRACTOR PULL TICKETS Every year, the Friday evening before the Watermelon Festival, McDade closes off the Main Street {Old Hwy 20 between Waco St & Bastrop St. in the Historical District} to hold a community dance that brings everyone together. Unfortunately they did not win the Farmers-Stockman prize money, they did win a prestigious Honorable Mention. Box 16| Hempstead, Texas 77445 | 979.921.5095 | [emailprotected] Years later, the festival continues to bring the young and old to the town of about 700 people. McDade Watermelon Festival Street Dance! They were all so thrilled with Queen Olivias achievement. 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. Please Click for more info & application. "Yes, it's a little hot, but Texans and McDade folks are tough," 423rd District Court Judge Chris Duggan said. "Lots of my friends in high school, and when I was younger, liked to refer to me as the 'Watermelon Queen' and now I'm the National Watermelon . 29 . Hundreds gathered for one of the longest running festivals in Texas. CLICK HERE. Singers Wade Hays and Mark Wills will round out the live music slate on Saturday night. The festival kicks off with the Watermelon Festival Parade and spans throughout the day, offering a BBQ cook-off, art vendors and an auction. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 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 . And finally, we end the "eats" portion at Florida Fresh with the NEW Florida Strawberry Shortcake! 2023 Hempstead Watermelon Festival. Genetic tests show that watermelons originated in Sudan in Africa. They did raise money for the school chairs. 202 Field Street, Center, Texas 75935 Saturday, March 11, 2023, Daylight Savings Time Begins A.W. & Civic Association All Rights Reserved. Join us July (to be announced) for a family-friendly event that's got something for absolutely everyone. Lots of my friends in high school, and when I was younger, liked to refer to me as the Watermelon Queen and now Im the National Watermelon Queen. Home Demonstration Agent Lena Sturges was formed to gather the information required and entered the contest. Come join us, we're sure you'll have a great time! Kick up your heels & have a good time. "Whats your favorite part of the festival?" May 21, 2022: Always the LAST FULL weekend of June SINCE 1954. 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First celebrated in 1937, the Stockdale Watermelon Jubilee is one of the oldest watermelon festivals in Texas. Texas Citrus Fiesta Jan 28-29, 2023 Mission, TX. We do it for the BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY! Wander back here for updates on the BBQ cookoff, live entertainment, watermelon contests and more. After June 15, and no later than July 8, booth prices increase by $50. Themoney raisedfrom the festival each year continues to help our local school and offer grants to teachers to help their classroomsand a variety of youth programs. "I get to eat watermelon," McDade Watermelon Festival Tiny Tot Queen Coral Miller said. March 1, 2023 - Shelby Countys 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. South Florida Garlic Festival Feb 4-5, 2023 Wellington, FL . We are back in the saddle and excited to be hosting the 18th annual Fest at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in 2022. McDade. Gallery; Schedule of Events; For Vendors; Parade; . All activities except the parade are held at the beautiful Stockdale city park. This watermelon festival does just the trick to keep the heat at bay for the average melon-head. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Global carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high in 2022, Florida man dies after contracting brain-eating infection from rinsing sinuses with tap water, Power outages possible Thursday due to high wind, damaged trees, Austin Energy says, Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued, severe weather risk increases this afternoon, FBI: Explosive found in bag at Pennsylvania airport, man arrested, Hamptons trailer park home under contract for $3.75M, Dallas mayor calls on APD officers to work for Dallas Police Department instead, Criminal gang receives 3K Texas IDs from DPS in cyber fraud case, director says, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K, Watch: Fishermen spot sharks in huge feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast, Central Texas weather: Hail reported as severe storms move through Central Texas, Central Texas weather: Some storms early Thursday morning, severe weather threat increases this afternoon, Austin 'street takeover': Police release photos of suspects, vehicles involved in reckless driving incidents, 4-day school week: Rockdale ISD adopts new calendar starting fall 2023, East Austin theater hosts special show asking for help amid Amplify Austin Day, Another US agency assesses COVID-19 origin likely a Chinese 'lab leak': report, FDA approves combination flu-COVID test for home use, Governor Abbott gives 2023 State of the State Address, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson tests positive for COVID-19. The 2023 Hempstead Watermelon Festival is two days of festivities in honor of the crop that made our town famous! "I think the grand champion was 141 something pounds," Duggan said. Upload it here! As the National Watermelon Queen Im the promotional ambassador for the National Watermelon Association, said Johnson. Franklin County || Chamber of Commerce uses Accessibility Checker to monitor our website's accessibility. All activities except the parade are held at the beautiful Stockdale city park. Bill Clinton attended as the guest of honor. Come join us, we're sure you'll have a great time! For a complete schedule of events and other information, visit here. Festival organizers said the money raised continues to help the local schools as well as youth programs, the food bank, library, and historical museum. The Franklin County Watermelon Festival began in 1981 and is the largest festival in Franklin County. 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. 00 Day 00 Hour 00 Minute Street Dance July 8th. For nearly half a century, Cave City residents in Sharp County have claimed that the sweetest watermelons are grown in and around their hometown. One event she mentioned being on her schedule is Nascar, because the watermelon industry has a spokesperson who represents watermelon at the Nascar level. Every year, theFriday eveningbeforethe Watermelon Festival,McDadecloses off theMain Street {Old Hwy 20 between Waco St & Bastrop St. in the Historical District} to hold a communitydance that brings everyone together. As a prize cash crop '' Duggan said the Farmers-Stockman prize money, they did a... Contests and more Watermelon, '' Duggan said were all so thrilled with Olivias! 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