Panhandle Watermelon Festival coming to Chipley June 27-28

June 18, 2014

Enjoy the Watermelon Festival southern style. Photo courtesy Goulding Agency
Enjoy the Watermelon Festival southern style. Photo courtesy Goulding Agency

The 58th Annual Panhandle Watermelon Festival will be coming to Chipley on June 27-28, 2014.

Spend the weekend enjoying a multitude of activities in traditional southern fashion. The festival brings in the morning with a parade through downtown then moves to the Agricultural Center on Highway 90. At the Agricultural Center, experience all that the festival has to offer. There is an antique car show, a downtown street fair, clogging and square dancing, gospel and bluegrass concerts. Also, take part in horseshoe tournaments, seed spitting contests and other games for each member of the family. Watch or participate in the watermelon auction, browse the arts and crafts and enjoy a great weekend of wholesome family fun.

Friday lineup:
Friday’s events will be held at Pal’s Park with the gates opening at 5 p.m. Performances start at 6 p.m. with CMA award winner and Grammy nominated country legend, John Anderson, as this year’s concert headliner.

Come hungry and feast on fare that goes hand in hand with Friday night Watermelon including hamburgers and hotdogs prepared by the Chipley Fire Department.

chipleymapSaturday lineup:

7 a.m. – Washington/Holmes Tech Center – Pancake breakfast

Saturday’s events commence early with the annual 5,000 meter Hot Trot Run at the Washington/Holmes Technical Center.

7 a.m. – Shrine Club pancake breakfast – Ag Center

10 a.m. – Watermelon parade

Festivities will begin immediately following the parade at the Ag Center with gospel group Crossroads kicking off another talented lineup of musicians. The time-honored introduction of queens and the watermelon contest and auction, hosted by Auctioneer David Corbin, round out the lunchtime activities. The Fine Arts Show, hosted by the Washington County Arts Council will be on display in the east wing of the Ag Center. This show will feature artwork from local artists as well as noted artists from the Northwest Florida region.

11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Ag Center activities include introduction of queens, watermelon auction and performance by Grammy award winning bluegrass group Dailey and Vincent.

Numerous food and arts and crafts vendors will be scattered throughout the Ag Center grounds and visitors can drop by the Kiwanis table and pick up a complimentary slice of Watermelon (while supplies last).

Numerous food and arts and crafts vendors will be scattered throughout the Ag Center grounds and visitors can drop by the Kiwanis table and pick up a complimentary slice of Watermelon (while supplies last).

For more information, visit www.panhandlewatermelon.com