Watermelon Festival kicks off Friday

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
The 28th Annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival is set for this weekend.
Organizers plan an opening ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the main stage.
The annual event is sponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. Nashville recording artist Ray Stephenson is slated to perform as entertainment headliner Friday night.
"Downtown Russellville is jammed packed with activities for this year's festival," said Kim Parker, director of the 2009 Watermelon Festival.
"There are new and unique activities scheduled to make the 28th year the biggest and best ever. The residents and families in Franklin County take ownership and great pride in the festival. We are ready to host our neighbors and friends and welcome visitors from all over the Southeast."
Britan Bolding, a freshman at Northwest-Shoals Community College, was named Miss Watermelon Aug. 1.
"Miss Bolding will serve as our ambassador throughout the coming year. Along with mayors from throughout Franklin County, Britan will cut the ceremonial watermelon at opening ceremonies on Friday night," said board member Marsha Oliver.
Along with a weekend full of entertainment, vendors come to Russellville from states throughout the Southeast to offer a wide variety of unique items and food.
"One thing is for sure, no one will be bored at this festival," said Buddy Perdue, festival co-chairman and Chamber of Commerce board member.
"This festival is a celebration and a time for families to gather and eat, laugh, play and have fun. We have a wide variety of activities – Watermelon food fest and contests, car/truck/motorcycle show, antique tractor show, a first time boat show, 5K/1K run, the Kiwanis bike ride, games and tons of new and unique arts and crafts, as well as great, quality entertainment. And, let's not forget – fabulous food."
"Local talent is also featured at the historic Roxy Theatre through the day," Parker said.
"This entertainment is in an air-conditioned venue to give anyone and everyone a little break from the heat. The weekend is jammed-packed and offers something fun for all ages."
Entertainment inside the Roxy includes:
10:20 a.m. – Brittany Cheatam, 10:40 a.m. – Clay Collins,
11 a.m. – Young "Tang Soo Do" Karate Demonstration
11:20 a.m. – Kimberly Gray
11:40 a.m. – Haley Aycock
12 p.m. – Elizabeth Benford &Friends
12:20 p.m. – RHS Show Choir
1 p.m. – Brooklyn Hall
1:30 p.m. – Chloe Brown, Cassidy Karr &Holly Hargett
2 p.m. – Blaze Bishop
2:30 p.m. – The Burney Children
2:50 p.m. – Robert McGuinness
3:10 p.m. – Will Stults
3:30 p.m. – Brooke Pate Vocal Students
Entertainment outside the courthouse will feature Buford Parker at 9 a.m. and "Something Different" with Billy Boyd at 12 p.m.
Watermelon will be served in the playground behind First Baptist Church beginning at 10 a.m.