Watermelon Festival returns

MCDADE — McDade’s flagship festival returns July 13, and is poised to continue what the celebration started nearly a century ago.

The 76th annual Watermelon Festival will be bringing back familiar traditions, activities and plenty of seeded behemoths.

A f ter the town’s school burned down 76 years ago, the inaugural festival was held to raise money for furniture and school construction. To this day, all funds raised during the event are funneled back into the community via scholarships for graduating seniors, grants for teachers and other non-profit youth organizations.

McDade’s historical district promises to come alive before the big day with its Street Dance on Main Street. The Bandits will set the tone with heel-kicking classics Friday, July 12, from 8 p.m. to midnight, accompanied by lighted toy vendors, drinks and food for the whole family.

On Saturday, as Sweatin’ Melon 5K runners cross the finish line for the third consecutive year, the Watermelon Festival’s Grand Parade will start its tour down Main Street, 10 a.m. The line of floats and community organizations represent some of the best that the area has to offer, according to representatives, and groups travel from across Texas for the big show.

Classic, custom and specialty show cars will then make their way to the festival grounds and set up for the car show, which lasts until 1:30 p.m.

The lineup of craft, art and refreshment vendors will be backed all day by performances from Sean Orr & the Texas Gold Band and Annie Rost & the Texas Wanderers.

Festival activities include a washer tournament , cornhole tournament, watermelon attire contest, bingo, cook-off competitions, watermelon eating competition, seed spitting competition, prize melon auction and more.

Refreshing fruit will be available throughout the day for purchase and the free melon feast will close out the day at 5 p.m.

Visit https://www.mcdadetexas. com for more information and event registration.