2017 North Carolina Watermelon Festival
Schedule of Events*
| Wednesday, August 2, 2017 | ||
| 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM | Chamber of Commerce Steamed Shrimp Dinner, King's Landing | |
| 6:00 PM | Festival Food Court opens | |
| 6:00 PM | Cole Amusement rides open - wrist bands available ($22 each) | |
| 6:30 PM | Opening of the 32nd Annual NC Watermelon Festival | |
| 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Entertainment - Jay Jenkins - Shaggin' on the Beach, DJ | |
| 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Entertainment - Band of Oz | |
| 7:30 PM | Bingo - Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce | |
| 10:30 PM | Watermelon Festival closes | |
| Thursday, August 3, 2017 | ||
| 4:30PM – 7:00 PM | BBQ Rib Dinner, Murfreesboro Rotary Club | |
| 6:00 PM | Festival Food Court opens | |
| 6:00 PM | Cole Amusement rides open – wrist bands available ($22 each) | |
| 7:00PM -10:00 PM | Entertainment - Backyard Groove | |
| 10:30 PM | Watermelon Festival closes | |
| Friday, August 4, 2017 - $1 Admission Charge (12 and over) | ||
| 12:00 PM | Festival Market opens | |
| 12:00 PM | Crafts/Antiques/Collectibles & Food Court opens | |
| 1:00 PM | "How to Select and Cut Watermelons" - Show Place | |
| 2:30 PM | "Quick and Easy Watermelon Snacks" - Show Place | |
| 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM | BBQ/Fried Chicken Dinner, Jefcoat Museum | |
| 5:30 PM | "Watermelon Centerpieces" - Show Place | |
| 6:00 PM -10:00 PM | Cole Amusement Rides open | |
| 6:30 PM | Hot Air Balloon Rides ($15 per person) | |
| 7:00 PM | "Learn the Latest Craze, the Watermelon Crawl" - Show Place | |
| 7:30 PM | NC Watermelon Queen, Autographs - Show Place | |
| 7:00 PM -10:00 PM | Entertainment - Steve Owens and the Summertime Band | |
| 11:00 PM | Watermelon Festival Closes | |
| Saturday, August 5, 2017 - $1 Admission Charge (12 and over) | ||
| 7:00 AM – 9:45 AM | Pancake Breakfast, Murfreesboro Baptist Church | |
| 10:00 AM | Festival Market and Food Court opens | |
| 10:00 AM | Watermelon Festival 5K Run/Walk | |
| 10:00 AM | NC Watermelon Festival Parade - Main Street | |
| 10:00 AM | Miniature Animals Petting Zoo, free pony rides | |
| 11:00 AM | Welcoming Ceremony | |
| 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Cole Amusement Rides open (re-open at 6:00 pm) | |
| 11:00 AM | Healthy Living - Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital (watermelon snacks) | |
| 11:30 AM | Watermelon Princess Review | |
| 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM | Little Farmer/Little Miss Farmer Contests | |
| 12:15 PM | Watermelon Princess Finals | |
| 12:30 PM | "Watermelon and the Economy" - Show Place | |
| 12:45 PM | "NC Watermelon Queen, Nutrition Facts and Autographs" - Show Place | |
| 1:00 PM | Entertainment - Virginia Fancy Feet | |
| 2:00 PM | Cole Amusement Rides close | |
| 2:00 PM | Seed Spitting/Watermelon Eating Contests | |
| 2:45 PM | Entertainment - Peanut City Cloggers | |
| 4:00 PM | "Watermelon Pickles... you be the judge" - Show Place | |
| 6:00 PM | "Learn the Latest Craze, the Watermelon Crawl" - Show Place | |
| 6:00 PM | Cole Amusement Rides re-open | |
| 7:30 PM - 10:15 PM | Entertainment - Pizazz Band | |
| 9:15 PM | Fireworks Show | |
| 11:00 PM | Watermelon Festival Closes | |
*All times and events subject to change.
Schedule last updated July 5, 2017