Enjoy the street dance, parade, car show, beer garden, vendors, kids' show and more
Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Jefferson County's celebration of everything watermelon culminates with this final weekend of Watermelon Festival events. Monticello has been fine-tuning this festival since 1949, and the line-up of activities sure to include favorite traditions along with fresh takes on the wonders of watermelon. This year's theme of “Stars, Slices and Stripes” invites us to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the festival along with America's 250th Independence Day.
The premier sponsor for 2026 is Capital Health Plan. Other festival-wide sponsors include MLD Architechts, Fresh from Florida, Renasant Bank, Travels with Katrina, Keith Gross for Congress, Leaf Home Water Solutions, Farm Credit of Northwest Florida, Jefferson County Teachers Credit Union, Gulf Coast Lumber & Supply, Capital City Home Loans, Caminez & Yeary, Allison Tant for Florida House District 9, Capital City Bank and Bluewater Vitality. Pageant sponsors were Jackie's Brickhouse Eatery, Bass Electrical, County Commissioner Jessica Gramling, Hiram Lodge, Edwin Kinsey LLC, the Monticello News, Jill Denton Law Firm and BeYoutiful Skin Spa.
Thursday, June 18
The Woman's Club Luncheon & Fashion Show takes place in the Perkins Hall of the Monticello Opera House (MOH). The sold-out luncheon features the Woman's Club's 100-year-old recipe for chicken salad, prepared by members themselves, along with delicious sides, croissants and a slice of homemade 10-layer yellow cake. Fashions from several local boutiques will be modeled by hometown folks, and the popular raffle will feature items donated from businesses you know and love.
Friday, June 19
Downtown starts to come alive at 3 p.m. on Friday. Stroll along Dogwood, Cherry and Pearl streets to enjoy the Vendor Village (3-9 p.m.), Watermelon Oasis (3-9 p.m.), Melon Jam street dance (6-9 p.m.) featuring the Michael Miller Band and Beer Garden (7-9 p.m.). At MOH, see the Friday evening performance of this year's kids' show, “The Little Mermaid Jr.” at 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 20
All day events from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. include the Vendor Village, Antique Car Show, Kids Play Zone and Watermelon Oasis. After the Watermelon Parade at 10 a.m. , swing through the Beer Garden (11 a.m.-3 p.m.). Saturday's performances of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” take place at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at MOH.
See www.monticellowatermelonfestival.com for the festival map. Here's more information about what to expect from different aspects of the festival.
The parade Grand Marshalls this year are Connie and Mark Mageary, and entries will be decorated to convey a theme of “Stars, Slices and Stripes.” Viewers can line up along Jefferson Street north and south of the courthouse to see the Watermelon Royalty as well as friends, neighbors and local groups who are highlighting the milestone anniversaries of the festival and our nation's birth.. All entries will be judged, and winners will be chosen for Best Merchant, Best Civic or Group Organization, Most Unusual, Spirit Award, Best Theme and Best in Parade.
The Second Annual Craig McCollum Memorial Car Show takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of The First Bank/Renasant, just one block east of the courthouse. Proceeds from car registrations are being donated to the Jefferson Tigers Baseball Team. The show has been organized by Don Romaine and is sponsored by CarQuest Auto Parts / Morgan's Garage. Prizes will be awarded for Best of Show, Cars 1920-1930, Cars 1931-1940, Cars 1941-1950, Cars 1951-1960, Cars 1961-1970, Cars 1971-1980, Cars 1981-1990, Cars 1991-2024, RestoMod, Trucks 1930-1960, Trucks 1961-2024, Best Motorcycle and Best Hot Rod.
All in all, you won't find a weekend quite like this anywhere around!