Little Mr. Farmer Contest

Open to 4-5 year olds. Contestants will ride in the Festival Parade on Saturday, August 5 at 10:00 and the contest will follow.

Application and additional details available from Ms. Debbie Edwards at (252) 398-3911.

Little Ms. Farmer Contest

Open to 4-5 year olds. Contestants will ride in the Festival Parade on Saturday, August 5 at 10:00 and the contest will follow.

Application and additional details available from Ms. Debbie Edwards at (252) 398-3911.

Little Princess Contest

On Saturday, August 5, the girls will ride in the 10:00 a.m. parade on a float and then compete in the contest following the parade.  

Download Contest Guidelines

Advance registration is required.  Download registration form here.  Registration deadline: July 24, 2017

This contest is only open to girls who are 5 years of age by August 1.

Miss Sarah Lemons is the 20 year old daughter of Michael and Lisa Lemons from Catawba, North Carolina.

She is a junior at North Carolina State University majoring in Agriculture Education and Extension Services with a Concentration in Animal Science.

Sarah is a member of Sigma Alpha Agriculture Sorority, North Carolina Young Farmers & Ranchers and was past president of the North Carolina FFA Association. She is a member of the National Jersey Wooly Rabbit Association and in 2015 was chosen the District 9 Showman of the Year.

Upon graduation Sarah plans to begin her career as an Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor. Her goal is to establish a high school agriculture education program because she believes every student can benefit from knowledge of the agriculture industry. Sarah knows that today agriculture is often at the forefront of media attention and education is very important in creating a generation of youth to advocate for the industry that works to feed them.

Theme: "Celebrating 32 Years - Thanks to Community Support"

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Main Street Murfreesboro - 10:00 AM

Parade Entry Form Download - Due July 31, 2017

Saturday, August 5, 2017 - 10:00AM

Race begins at 10 AM sharp. Course closes at 11 AM.

Cost is $25 before August 5, $30 on race day. Race day registration and pre-registered number pick-up begins at 8:45 AM on the lawn of Murfreesboro Baptist Church (200 W. Main St.).

Register Online

Mail-In Registration Form

Now in its 12th year, the NC Watermelon Festival 5K has become one of the most popular summer road races in northeastern North Carolina.  Runners lead off the annual Watermelon Festival parade down Main Street in historic Murfreesboro, then wind their way through the campus of Chowan University and the lakefront residential part of town. Our 5K course is USTAF certified (NC-06024-PH).

All proceeds from the race go to support summer children's reading programs at the Elizabeth Sewell Parker Public Library in downtown Murfreesboro.

All registered 5K participants will receive an official Murfreesboro watermelon. The first 100 participants are guaranteed official race shirts. Awards will be given to overall men's and women's champions, plus age group awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd).

Send any questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.