Watermelon Festival Schedule of Events

The event kicks off Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. and continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Both nights will feature free live entertainment, contests and community events. 

August 15

• 9 a.m.–5 p.m. – Hester Printing Pop-Up Art Gallery
• 6:30 p.m. – Opening ceremony with national anthem by Kim Clonts and the first official watermelon sliced by 2025 Watermelon Queen Jaci Sha Sutherland
• 7 p.m. – Music City Misfits (rock, Muscle Shoals)
• 8:30 p.m. – Austin Bohannon (country, Muscle Shoals)
• 6–9 p.m. – Free watermelon slices

August 16

• 6 a.m. – Race-day registration opens at the RHS Fieldhouse, 1865 Waterloo Road
• 7:30 a.m. – Watermelon 5K
• 8 a.m. – 1-Mile Fun Run Hosted by RHS cross country team. Entry: $30 for 5K, $25 for 1-mile. Awards for top 3 overall, top Masters and age group winners; runsignup.com/Race/AL/Russellville/WatermelonRun.
• 7 a.m.–1 p.m. – Car and truck show on South Jackson Avenue, presented by the RHS Marching Hundred Band Parent Association.
• 9 a.m.–5 p.m. – Hester Printing Pop-Up Art Gallery
• 10 a.m. – Watermelon contest registration opens at First Baptist Church Park, 201 Washington Ave. NW.
• 11 a.m. – Watermelon judging
• Noon – Contest winners announced. Categories — largest (local and non-local), most unusual, best tasting, best dressed. Seed spitting contest includes adult and child divisions
• 10 a.m.–noon – Character guests in front of Valley State Bank, presented by Franklin County Junior Leaders.
• All day – Cutest Watermelon Baby Contest registration continues at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce (children ages 0–2 in watermelon-themed outfits).
• 6–9 p.m. – Free watermelon slices
• 6 p.m. – The Midnighters (soul, rock and blues, Muscle Shoals)
• 7 p.m. – Dixie Mafia (country, dance, rock and pop from the 1960s to today)
• 8:30 p.m. – Will Moseley, “American Idol” Season 22 runner-up, performing a mix of country and soul

WATERMELON 

CONTEST RULES 

• One entry per contestant per category
• Watermelons must be grown and tended by the contestant.
• No commercial growers allowed.
• Melons must be clean and in good condition, free of rot, cracks, dirt or chemical residue.
• In case of a tie, judges will determine the winner based on quality.
• Judges’ decisions are final.
• Contestants must live in Franklin County to enter the Franklin County categories.
• Contestants in the outside division must live outside Franklin County.
• Best dressed melons must avoid inappropriate content.
• Seed spitting participants get three attempts; farthest distance wins.

GENERAL RULES 

• No pets, except ADA-compliant service animals
• No weapons, alcohol, fireworks or illegal substances
• Disorderly or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.