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 By  Alison James Published 
3:41 pm Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Chamber announces Watermelon Festival entertainment

Franklin County’s 38th annual Watermelon Festival has been set for Aug. 17-18, and the musical entertainment has been secured.

Nashville-based Sweet Tea Trio will be the headliner for Saturday night at 8:30 p.m.

“Sweet Tea Trio expressed interest in being part of the entertainment, and the Chamber’s Board of Directors thought they would be a good fit for the Watermelon Festival,” Franklin County Chamber Director Cassie Medley said.

The Trio’s debut, self-titled EP released at No. 11 on the iTunes Country Charts this past year and is available on all digital music platforms. This year the trio signed an exclusive management deal with Kid Rock and Vector Management founder Ken Levitan. They have opened for Kid Rock at 10 sold-out arena dates, including the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville this year. This past year they opened for the legendary group Alabama.

Starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, the Kerry Gilbert Band will take the main stage before L.A. Outlaws at 6 p.m. and the Joseph Baldwin Band at 7 p.m.

7 Bridges will take the stage once again as the Friday night headliner at 8:30 p.m.

“7 Bridges was a huge hit at last year’s Watermelon Festival. The board heard nothing but compliments and the request to have them perform again,” Medley said.

Before that, The Midnighters will take the stage at 6 p.m. and Rewind at 7 p.m.

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