Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
As festivities for Monticello's 70th Annual Watermelon Festival kick into full gear, it looks like this small town is in for a busy week!
Thursday, June 17, at 12 p.m., the Historic Monticello Opera House is hosting the Woman's Club Luncheon and Fashion Show. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce or on the festival website at monticellowatermelonfestival.com. Tickets are limited, so get them while you can! This event is sponsored by and features local boutiques from downtown Monticello; The Luckie Pearl, Victoria's Boutique, Soulshine Vintage and A Lady With a Past Tea Parlour.
Friday, June 18, at 6 p.m., check out the Family Circus Show by Cirque Adventure in Buck Byrd’s vacant lot, located behind Rancho Grande. Their themed shows include high flying aerial acts, amazing ground aerobatics, trampoline acts, teeterboard acts and various other circus skills. All shows are appropriate for the entire family and are designed to be interactive with the audience. This show will also be repeated on Saturday, June 19, at 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m.
Monticello's Vendor Village begins at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 18. Come out and see the best Monticello has to offer in the ways of food, arts and crafts! Local artists, craftsman and food vendors come and line up along Dogwood Street, Cherry Street, and Pearl Street to offer their goods and services to the public. Vendor Village closes down around 9 p.m. but resumes the following morning at 9 a.m.
On Friday at 7 p.m., you won't want to miss the Kids Show, but in case you do, fret not! The Kids Show also takes place Saturday, June 19, at 11:30 a.m.
Also taking place on Friday evening, are the Beer Garden festivities, and the Monticello Street Dance. Both events begin at 7 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. Come out and enjoy music by Mainstream Band.
Perhaps the busiest day of all for the Watermelon Festival is Saturday, June 19. Events kick off bright and early at 8:15 a.m. with the Kiwanis 5K Run and Walk. Registration will be located at the First United Methodist Church and will begin at 7 a.m.
Vendor Village continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The Watermelon Parade begins at 10 a.m. All entries will be judged and winners chosen for Best Merchant, Best Civic or Group Organization, Most Unusual, Spirit Award, Best Theme, and Best in Parade. The theme is Loving the Local Life. The Parade begins on the intersection of Jefferson Street and Anderson Street, and ends on the intersection of Jefferson Street and York Street.
The First is hosting the Antique Car Show in their parking lot. This year will be the 113th Annual Antique Car Show presented by the Tallahassee Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America. This show showcases all types of vehicles, original, restored or modified, and includes antiques, classics, customs, street rods, late models, trucks and motorcycles. An award ceremony and raffle for cash prizes will start at 12 p.m.
There will be a series of Platform Events beginning at 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. These mini-events include presentations from North Florida Wildlife Center, Pure Platinum Dance Group, vocals from Melissa Dalston, Capital Chordsmen, Barbershop Quartet, TLH Latin Dancers, Panama Dancers, Wacky Watermelon Games and Hot Tamale. The platform for Platform Events will be located on Cherry Street and High Street, under the big green and white tent.
The Beer Garden will reopen at 12 p.m. until 4 p.m.
The Watermelon Games start at 1:30 p.m. and are a part of the Saturday Platform Events.
If all of that somehow isn't enough, the Jefferson Arts gallery is hosting their summer member show, “The Living is Easy”, starting Saturday, June 12, from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. this show will be on display through the Watermelon Festival, and until Saturday, August 14. Regular gallery hours are Wednesday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call the Jefferson Arts Gallery at (850) 997-3311 or email them at Jeffersonartsgallery@gmail.com.
This week's Watermelon Festival finale leaves something special, fun and unique for everyone to enjoy. Truly no better way to celebrate “a slice of the good life” that we all have come to appreciate here in Monticello, Fla.