Mississippi 2024 Mississippi Watermelon Festivals:  Find a Watermelon Festival Near You!

Looking for a Watermelon festival in Mississippi in 2024? (just scroll down the page)There is no other listing as complete and current as this list, just updated! All the Watermelon festivals in Mississippi we can find are listed on this page! If you love strawberries, look for a festival near you below! And I'm always looking for more Watermelon festivals! Please write me, if you know of any to add!  I update the dates as soon as the festivals publish their information, but you can always click on the links (usually the name of the festival) to see the current information on the festival's own website. 

Always click on the links to the festival to confirm this year's dates; weather and other conditions could cause a change at the last minute. They may change or cancel at the last minute. . If they don't have a website, call the phone number provided, but ALWAYS CONFIRM THIS YEAR'S DATES AND TIMES BY EITHER VIEWING THEIR WEBSITE OR CALLING.

Click here for the form to add a festival and have detailed information; or click here if you have general information and are not connected with the event!

Mississippi 2024Watermelon Festivals Festivals - Where, When and More Details!

Mississippi

Watermelons typically ripen from June (in northern Florida and Texas) through July, August  and September in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest and New England. July and August dominatesas the months for Watermelon production (and festivals) Unlike strawberries, which grow almost anywhere, watermelons are grown commercially far fewer states, since they require warmer temperatures and a much longer season.

There are two general types of Watermelon festivals 1) community festivals, usually organized by a church, school, local Chamber of commerce or a town and 2). Watermelon festival held at and by a farm. They are different in what they offer, and community festivals tend to be less expensive so they are grouped separately. (of course not all states and areas have both.)
Following the festival listings are links to our easy to follow directions about making Watermelon jam, freezing watermelons, Watermelon pies and much more.

Community Watermelon Festivals

• Mize Mississippi Watermelon Festival - running for 40 years, July 20 & 21, 2018
  Downtown Mize, MS 39116. Phone: (877) 790-9722.  Exciting Entertainment, Arts and Crafts and Food, Kids Games, Car Show, Always fun for Everyone. The Mississippi Watermelon Festival is excited to welcome to our stage, for the 40th Annual Festival. The Mississippi WATERMELON FESTIVAL is a true family event, offering fun activities for the young and old alike. From our amazing car show to our always entertaining watermelon contests, you're sure to have a great time.
• Water Valley Annual Watermelon Carnival - August - The first Friday and Saturday of August each year; running for over 50 years
  Main Street, Water Valley, Mississippi 38965. Email: wvchamber@bellsouth.net. The Watermelon Carnival is Water Valley's most prized annual celebration. An estimated 20,000 people attend the various events, always set the first weekend in August. The carnival is named among the top 20 festivals in the southeastern United States by the Southeastern Tourism Society. The first carnival was held on Thursday, August 27, 1931. At that time, the entire nation was in the grip of the depression. In Water Valley, a bank had failed, the railroad had pulled out, and unemployment was high. Local businessmen were concerned about the spirit of the townspeople, so they decided to host a carnival to boost morale. The Watermelon Carnival consisted of a parade, a pageant to name the carnival queen, and a formal ball. Festivities were repeated for nine consecutive years, and then halted with the outbreak of World War II. The Watermelon Carnival lay in dormancy until 1980. They have Crafts and crafters sales and exhibitions, Sales of the featured fruit (or vegetable), Food vendors, Pancake breakfast, Live music, Games, 5K, 10K or other run, Raffle or drawing, Car show, Fireworks display, Parade, Festival queen contest, picnic area, Free parking, restrooms. Directions: Click here for a map and directions.
  Water Valley, MS 38965. Open:  This year will be the 51st Watermelon Carnival in Water Valley, MS.

Farm Watermelon Festivals

In addition to community and church festivals, some private farms have their own Watermelon festivals.  See each farm for this year's dates (they often do not announce them until the end of May). T  Also, scroll down to see the links to recipes, freezing, canning and jam making directions at the bottom of the page.

• We will be adding these as we find them;  Please write me, if you know of any to add!

Related Watermelon Information: Watermelon jelly and Pickled watermelon rinds

Besides eating them fresh, watermelons make two great preserves which are really easy to make with these illustrated, step-by-step instructions:

• Pickled watermelon rinds are sweet and delicious!. See this page for the easy recipe).
• Easy watermelon jelly recipe.

 

For other fruit and vegetable festivals, see this page!