Little Mr. Farmer Contest

Open to 4-5 year olds. Contestants will ride in the Festival Parade on Saturday, August 4 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 4 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 4, 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 20, 2018

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

Emma Cannon of Wendell was selected from a field of contestants as the 2017  N.C. Watermelon Queen. A graduate of N.C. State University with a major in Agricultural Science, Ms. Cannon will represent the industry at promotions, media events and festivals during 2017 all across the state. Ms. Cannon is the daughter of Charles and Dolly Cannon of Wendell.

Theme: "It's Electric"

Saturday, August 4, 2018 - Rain or Shine!

Main Street Murfreesboro - 10:00 AM

Parade Entry Form Download - Due July 30, 2018

Saturday, August 4, 2018 - 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 13th 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, and 1st/2nd/3rd place finishers in each age category:  14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over.

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