WATERMELON FESTIVAL
More than 30,000 Franklin County residents as visitors from nearby counties turned out for the 45th annual Watermelon Festival in downtown Russellville. With temperatures hoving in the mid 90s for most of the daytime hours, attendees welcomed the chance to bite into some of the juicy watermelons available for tasting as they enjoyed the seed spitting contest, a car show, a 5K run and a solid list of entertainment for both days. The festivities concluded Saturday night with headliner Tracy Byrd taking stage. Byrd, whose hit single the “Watermelon Crawl” was his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 81, performed to a loud and enthusiastic crowd.
PHOTO BY MARÍA CAMP
Franklin County Watermelon Queen Aidyn Kate Marshall cuts the ceremonial watermelon during the opening event for the weekend’s festivities.
Aymar Bonilla spits a watermelon seed during a contest Saturday at the 45th Franklin County Watermelon Festival in Russellville. [DAN BUSEY/TIMESDAILY]
Ryleigh Wallace, 5, eats a slice of watermelon while sitting in a wagon Saturday during the 45th Franklin County Watermelon Festival in Russellville. [DAN BUSEY/TIMESDAILY]
PHOTO BY MARÍA CAMP
Shown from left, Northwest Shoals Community College volleyball players Brylee Harrison, Anna Simone, Marli Stewart, Bradley McDaniel and Britney Coffman try the watermelon.
PHOTO BY MARÍA CAMP
Rusa Johnson and Bennie Johnson enjoy slices of watermelon at the festival.
PHOTO BY MARÍA CAMP
From left Megan Welch, Jasmine Hamilton, Kalynn Suggs and Laurenn Hammond eat roasted corn at the Watermelon Festival in downtown Russellville.
