FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Beasley, Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: karen@northalabama.org
A Slice of Summer Fun
Watermelon Capital of Alabama Offers Free Fruity Fun in August
Decatur, Ala. (May 28, 2025) – Plenty of sweet juicy fun is on tap the third weekend in August when summer’s favorite fruit takes center stage during the annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival in Russellville, Ala. Set for August 15-16, 2025, the Watermelon Festival offers arts and crafts, several watermelon contests, a car and truck show, food vendors, children’s activities, games, and musical entertainment, along with free samples of watermelon.
Held each year on the third weekend in August, the Watermelon Festival has grown into Franklin County’s largest and most anticipated event since its inception in 1981. Organized by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, the festival attracts thousands of visitors from across the Southeast. The festival weekend begins with opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. on Friday with live music taking the stage both days.
Friday, Aug. 15 - Music Lineup
6:30 PM – Opening Ceremony (National Anthem by Kim Clonts)
7:00 PM – Music City Misfits
8:30 PM – Austin Bohannon
Saturday, Aug. 16 - Music Lineup
6:00 PM – The Midnighters
7:00 PM – Dixie Mafia
8:30 PM – Will Moseley
Contests centered on watermelons, including watermelon seed spitting, the largest melon, best tasting melon, most unusual and best-dressed melons, are a highlight each year entertaining festivalgoers of all ages. Over 100 vehicles are expected for the car and truck show on Saturday morning, and additional activities include a 5K run and 1-mile fun run, character guests to entertain the children and the Franklin County Extension Office contests.
The event was voted Best Adults and Children’s Events in the Tennessee Valley in a reader’s choice poll conducted by the Franklin County Times for the past four years. In 2013, Senator Roger Bedford and Representative Johnny Mack Morrow were successful in passing a resolution in the Alabama Legislature declaring Franklin County the “Watermelon Capital of Alabama.”
All activities take place along Main Street (Jackson Avenue). Hours are 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free. For more details, visit the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce website at www.franklincountychamber.org and click on the Watermelon Festival link or call 256.332.1760. For the latest information, follow the Franklin County Watermelon Festival page on Facebook and Instagram.
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About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the $4.9 billion North Alabama travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, convention & visitors bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, golf courses, restaurants, accommodations and vendors. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381, by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org and by following us on social media @VisitNorthAL.
