Schedule of Events

Get Ready for a Great Day of Watermelon Festival Fun

We’re so excited for this year’s festivities and can’t wait to announce the official event schedule. Wander back here for updates on the BBQ cookoff, live entertainment, watermelon contests and more. This year’s Hempstead Watermelon Festival is gonna be one for the books!

2023 Hempstead Watermelon Festival Schedule

2023 TENTATIVE Watermelon Festival Schedule

	Thursday, July 13th
Time	Activity	Location
12:00 PM	Some BBQ Cook-Off Teams May Begin Setting Up	FM 1887
5:00 PM	Decorating the Gazebo	Clarke Gazebo Park
6:30 PM	Carnival Opens	11th Street
	Friday, July 14th
Time	Activity	Location
8:00 AM	BBQ Cook-Off Teams Set Up	FM 1887
8:00 AM	Watermelon Tent Set Up	Bremond Street
3:00PM	Quilts starting to be hung.	Kenneth Pilcher Building – 841  12th Street
6:00 PM	Kids BBQ Cook-Off	FM 1887
6:30 PM	Corn Hole Tournament	FM 1887
	Carnival Opens	11th Street
7:30 PM	Street Dance with Brown Sugar Band	Train Depot at FM 1887
	Saturday, July 15th
Time	Activity	Location
6:00 AM	Vendor Set Up	12th Street
9:15 AM	Parade	FM 159 to FM 1887
10:00 AM	Car Show and Quilt Show	12th Street
	Watermelon Growing Contest (Check In) 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM	Train Depot at  FM 1887
10:45 AM	WMF Opening Ceremonies	Clarke Gazebo Park
11:00 AM	WMF Queen Coronation	Clarke Gazebo Park
12:00 PM	Winners of the Coloring Contest and the Parade Winners Announced	Clarke Gazebo Park
12:15 PM	Bout to Be Western Band	Clarke Gazebo Park
1:00 PM	Watermelon Games	Bremond Street Behind the City Hall
5:00 PM	BBQ Cook-Off Awards	Clarke Gazebo Park
6:00 PM	Watermelon Auction and Quilt Auction	Clarke Gazebo Park
7:30 PM	Street Dance with the Original Triumphs Band	Train Depot at FM 1887
9:00 PM	Raffle Drawing	Train Depot at FM 1887

 

Keep checking back for details!