Farmerville is the largest town in Union Parish, Louisiana. From jambalaya to tamales, Louisianians will throw a festival for just about anything, but here are some of our favorite lesser-known food festivals that are so worth the trip. Sign up for their watermelon eating and seed spitting contests, or even their watermelon carving contest. Gazette photos by Dusty Alford & Submitted Photos An estimated crowd of more than 1,200 people came through Farmerville for the 58th Annual Louisiana Watermelon Festival July 29-31 in Farmerville. For exact festival dates, contact the local visitors bureaus here Add/Edit Your Listing Click the links below for festivals and events near that city: All Alexandria Baton Rouge Lafayette New Orleans Shreveport How to read these tables? At festivals like the Beauregard Watermelon Festival and the French Market Creole Tomato Festival, fresh local produce is honored. (DA) This years grand prize watermelon in the youth division (100.44 pounds) was grown by Rhett and Sawyer Fortenberry. 2023 Louisiana Office of Tourism. Although the numbers may have been down somewhat due to COVID concerns and the heat, the Festival was a success. Come kick off the Creole tomato season at the annual Tomato Festival. So much so that there are over 400 festivals in Louisiana peppered throughout the state. Besides eating them fresh, watermelons make two pickyourown.org does not charge either farmers or consumers! Taking place on July 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Courthouse Square, this is one competition you better come hungry for! Saline Watermelon Festival in Saline Louisiana 2nd Saturday in July. Since 1949, the Louisiana Cattle Festival & Fair in Abbeville has celebrated the states cattle industry with Outstanding Cattleman, Restauranteur of the Year, Cattle Livestock Show. There will be live music, childrens activities, and many of the shops on Main Street will be open for business. Anna-Katherine Thompson. We will see you again, July 29-30 2022. Gazette photo by Dusty Alford 2021 Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival winners include: (from left to right) 1st runner-up and Terry Blue Futch award winner Anna Katherine Thompson, Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival Gracie Reichman, Miss Belle of the D'Arbonne Jourdan Waddell, Miss Spirit of Farmerville Allison Newton, and Melissa Tucker Non-finalist Talent award winner Lily Gayle. Admission $5 Free for ages 3 years & Under Free Admission with Military ID **Free Admission on Friday, June 24 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM for the "CUTTING OF THE MELONS" Brought to you by: FARMERVILLE, La. Gracie Reichman is crowned 2021 Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival Farmerville mayor John Crow welcomes the crowd to the 58th annual Louisiana Watermelon Festival. Get your groove on at the Baton Rouge Blues Fest. There will be jumping castles, food vendors, and the annual Street Dance. Friday's events include a tennis tournament, bicycle and tricycle races, arm wrestling contest, watermelon eating and seed spitting contests, a best dressed watermelon competition, and a street dance. Mayfest takes place May 4-5 in downtown Leesville. Unfortunately, it was cancelled last year. until the end of May). We encourage you to join us and consider supporting the Austin Justice Coalition or the organization leading the ongoing movement for accountability and change in your community. Head on over to Minden to watch the best of the best put their BBQ skills to the test. Cool off with juicy watermelon at the Beauregard Watermelon Festival. Check out our canning contest, cornhole tournament and crafters displays at the festival along with the antique tractor show! His family is presented with the poster by Miss Louisiana Watermelon 2019 Kaitryana Leinbach. Subscribe Today - receive the Nov/Dec Holiday issue 2022. (DA) Tiny Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival 2021 winners were: (from left to right) 2nd runner-up Honeste Johnson, 1st runnerup Charley Robinson and queen Kolby Isaac. FARMERVILLE, La. Although the numbers may have been down somewhat due to COVID concerns and the heat, the Festival was a success. Watch as the best dessert creators vie for the title of Dessert Wars Champion, and be a part of the outcome. Beauregard Watermelon Festival | DeRidder LA An estimated crowd of more than 1,200 people came through Farmerville for the 58th Annual Louisiana Watermelon Festival July 29-31 in Farmerville. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. (DA) Tiny Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival 2021 winners were: (from left to right) 2nd runner-up Honeste Johnson, 1st runnerup Charley Robinson and queen Kolby Isaac. 2023 Louisiana Festivals Apr 7-9 Pirates of the Pontchartrain Fest (Hammond, La) Apr 14-16 Strawberry Festival (Ponchatoula, Expert Help. June 22, 2023 The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Preview of vendors for the Annual Louisiana Watermelon Festival Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Winnsboro City Council delays motion to vote on festival, Why did they take my son?; Monroe mother pleads, Scientists report finding 5K black holes, more, Arkansas Governor Sanders Education Plan moves to, Grambling State University participates in Home Depots, Evening Forecast Tuesday, February 28th, Morning Forecast Tuesday, February 28th, Evening Forecast Saturday, February 25th, Karl Malone Auto Group Athlete of the Week: OCS girls, Talon Talk, sponsored by the Sam Spurgeon Law Firm:, Despite leading entering delay, Louisiana Tech falls, Arrest warrants issued for projected NFL draft pick, 2023 Trey Altick Prep Classic Baseball Tournament, Midday Ark-La-Miss News Update: Mar. And wed be remiss if we didnt mention the Satchmo SummerFest in New Orleans, which celebrates the life, music, and legacy of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. We will be donating the first month of each new vendor & artist subscription to the Austin Justice Coalition. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Think you could take home the gold medal? Also, scroll down to see the links to recipes, freezing, canning and jam making (just scroll down the page)There is no other listing as grown commercially far fewer states, since they require warmer Make a trip to celebrate some of our favorite things here in Louisiana food, music and culture. Not sure? Let us know in the comments below! Submitted photo April Isaac Fuller (left) and mom Kathy Isaac, enjoy the fun Saturday at the Watermelon Festival. Midwest and New England. (DA) Petite Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival 2021 winners were: (from left to right) 1st runner-up Ariannah Wade, queen Alanah Lowery and 2nd runner-up Helen Ewing. Therell be oysters, BBQ shrimp, jambalaya, crawfish, and, of course, Creole tomatoes. Updated: Jul 30, 2021 / 06:14 PM CDT. thursday pageant. Gazette photo by Charlette Hilton Ro Ros Snack Shack floats down Main Street during the 58th Annual Louisiana Watermelon Festival Parade Gazette photo by Charlette Hilton Farmerville Jaycees president Paco Allen welcomes everyone to the 58th annual Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival pageant. Miss Louisiana Organization | 2252 Tower Drive, Suite 108, Box 204 | Monroe, LA 71201 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). Try our $10 Trial Subscription (3 issues) The Gueydan Duck Festival, appropriately, highlights the hunting heritage of the Acadiana region, the Duck Festival a Duck and Goose Calling Contest, Skeet Shooting, Dog Trials, Duck Dash, and Decoy Carving. All rights reserved. Makenzie Scroggs. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. DATES AND TIMES BY EITHER VIEWING THEIR WEBSITE OR CALLING. Everfest stands in solidarity with the Black community and supports the fight for justice and equality. The Watermelon Festival is celebrated each year as a way of promoting the watermelon industry and showing pride in their harvest. Fan of the blues? complete and current as this list, just updated! Cool off with juicy watermelon at the Beauregard Watermelon Festival. Find more festival fun with Louisianas Spring Festivals and Fall Festivals. Linda White, the owner of Taterbugs, said she remembers going to the Louisiana Watermelon Festival as a child. Not pictured is 1st runner-up Hannah Reeder. By accessing our site, you agree to the terms of Everfest's privacy policy. The Louisiana Watermelon Festival was founded by the Farmerville Jaycees in 1963. Overall watermelon quality winner Levin Cosby (right) pictured with the LSU AgCenters Jason Holmes. I think I can do the arm wrestling I think Ive got a little bit in there I can do it, Raja Lewis, a local, said. The Louisiana Watermelon Festival was founded by the Farmerville Jaycees in 1963. Gazette photo by Charlette Hilton Watermelons cut and sampled for the Watermelon Quality Contest at the LSU AgCenter. 2,463 likes. (DA) Ricky W. Albritton was awarded the 2021 Citizen of the Year award by the Farmerville Jaycees. Waddell also received awards for red carpet and congeniality, while Reichman received an award for talent. . (of course not all states and areas have both. Therell be live music, craft vendors, and some of the best BBQ youve ever tasted. Crafty. (DA) Harold Albritton who is 90 years old 2nd and 3rd Gray Variety; 1st, 2nd, 3rd place Long Stripes; 1st and 2nd place Round Stripes; 1st and 2nd Place Yellow meat variety; 1st and 2nd place all sweet variety; 1st, 2nd, 3rd Miscellaneous (DA) This years parade float winner was K&M Coffee, Corks and Camo. (DA) Ricky W. Albritton was awarded the 2021 Citizen of the Year award by the Farmerville Jaycees. Each year during the last weekend of July, thousands descend upon Farmerville to enjoy the Louisiana Watermelon . They are different in what they (DA) Baby Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival 2021 winners were: (from left to right) 1st runner-up Ensley Arnold and queen Brooklyn Hill. illustrated, step-by-step instructions: For other fruit and vegetable festivals, see this page! Jun 22-24 Watermelon Festival (Deridder La) Aug16-20 Shrimp Festival (Delcambre,La) Aug 24-27 Duck Festival . The Farmerville Jaycees consist of a group of young men and women who volunteer and strive to make a positive and economic impact in the community. Gazette photos by Dusty Alford (Pictured Right) Shannon Futch (right) presents Miss contestant Anna Catherine Thompson with the Terry Blue Futch Community Service award. (DA) Little Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival 2021 winners were: (from left to right) 2nd runner up Italee Strong, 1st runner-up Laikley Lowery and queen Kinley Kimmerling. Those copying content from this website and publishing it will be vigorously legally prosecuted. Gazette photos by Dusty Alford & Submitted Photos. The fun starts Friday night with the seed spitting and arm wrestling contests. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. . The annual festival takes place the last weekend of July, and the whole town gets in on the fun! The Farmerville Gazette community festivals tend to be less expensive so they are grouped separately. at the last minute. Updated: Jul 30, 2022 / 07:16 PM CDT. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Mike McKenzie is going to be here with his country band and hes number one in my book, Ivey said. Please write me, if Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds|506 West Dr, DeRidder, LA | Map. Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival Pageant, Farmerville, Louisiana. FARMERVILLE, La. APPLICATIONS. Overall watermelon quality winner Levin Cosby (right) pictured with the LSU AgCenters Jason Holmes. Check out the melon carving and canning contests at the Watermelon Fest, and see the Ripe & Ready Secondline while sipping a bloody Mary at the Creole Tomato Fest. PO Box 722 The Louisiana Watermelon Festival is held in Farmerville, Louisiana every year the last weekend in July. Its a tradition thats been going on for more than five decades. Festival information may not be up to date due to COVID-19, but you can view our list of cancellations here. The Louisiana Watermelon Festival was founded by the Farmerville Jaycees in 1963. 2023 Louisiana Office of Tourism. Watermelons typically ripen from June (in northern Florida and Texas) From here well into the fall, you can bet theres some type of festival happening just about every weekend. So much so that there are over 400 festivals in Louisiana peppered throughout the state. The Louisiana Watermelon Festival Is Back For It's 58th Year Of Fun If there's one thing Louisiana can do better than any other state, it's throwing a festival. Although the numbers may have been down somewhat due to COVID concerns and the heat, the Festival was a success. Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Louisiana's Must See-It-To-Believe-It Festivals, Dont Miss the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival, Louisiana State Parks Offer Cabin Getaways, Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival, Mardi Gras Museums Offer a Colorful Taste of Carnival, 10 Cajun Essentials: Guide to Cajun Culture in Louisiana, Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Trails, 10 Things You Might Not Know About Mardi Gras. A seed spitting contest and a watermelon eating contest and a street dance on Friday night. The way COVID is right now, I was afraid they were going to cancel it, but I am so proud they didnt, Ann Ivey, a local, said. | Austin, TX, HOB Brewing Music & Craft Beer Festival (Dunedin, FL). See this page for the easy recipe. Seafood is abundant in Louisiana, and there are several great places to get a taste during the summer. Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Louisiana's Must See-It-To-Believe-It Festivals, Dont Miss the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival, Louisiana State Parks Offer Cabin Getaways. Privacy Policy. Planning on attending any of these festivals? The summer heat is scorching many, but it makes for an . Heres just a sampling of what festivals we have to offer during the summertime. They may change or Phone: 318-368-0044. Mayfest takes place May 4-5 in downtown Leesville. With more than 400 fairs and festivals scheduled annually around the state, you can consider Louisiana the "festival capital of the world." 94 were here. (DA) Petite Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival 2021 winners were: (from left to right) 1st runner-up Ariannah Wade, queen Alanah Lowery and 2nd runner-up Helen Ewing. Home of the Sugar Town Watermelon, this Southern Louisiana town will redefine your sugar tooth. (DA) Junior Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival 2021 winners were: (from left to right) 2nd runner-up Kayla Hicks, queen Anabelle Holloway and 1st runner-up Bella Miller. Multiple Locations in Downtown Farmerville|, Farmerville, LA | Map. The weekend was the hottest of the year, but the community showed up to support one of the longest-running festivals in the area. LOUISIANATRAVEL.COM is the official travel authority for the state of Louisiana. 59th Annual Louisiana Watermelon Festival July 28-30th, 2022.. //-->. For more information, be sure to check out the festivals website, and dont forget to give it a follow on Facebook so you can stay up to date on the latest news. Last, but certainly not least, Essence Festival is the largest African-American culture and music event in the United States. Feel free to email me at jsutherlin@onlyinyourstate.com. Gazette photos by Dusty Alford & Submitted Photos. Local businesses decorate their storefronts in anticipation of this family-friendly festival. Crafty. Gazette photo by Dusty Alford Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival 2021 Teen Princess winners were: (from left to right) queen Grayson Pylant and 2nd runner-up Audrey Grier. There'll be oysters, BBQ shrimp, jambalaya, crawfish, and, of course, Creole tomatoes. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Clowns wave at the crowd lined up on Main Street for the Watermelon Festival Parade. (KTVE/KARD) Saturday, June 18, 2022, Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival Gracie Reichman won Miss Louisiana 2022. Pylant also won physical fitness, while Grier received People's Choice winner. Watermelon festivals. offer, and making Watermelon jam, freezing watermelons, Watermelon pies and Join Now: Vendors | Artists | Already PRO? If this list of incredible festivals hasnt convinced you, come on over and let us show you in person. Publication of festival information does not imply endorsement by or affiliation with Everfest. The Louisiana Watermelon Festival is held in Farmerville, Louisiana annually the last weekend in July.