Melon Events Calendar

   5K Run

 8:00 am Nell Lightsey Park Gazebo 

Corner of Lee and Elm Streets 

Hampton SC 29924

  https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/Hampton/HamptonCountyWatermelonFestival5K 

*** NEW ***

Corn Hole Tournament

after the 5K run

Hampton Methodist Church Annex

*** NEW ***

Talent Show

Palmetto Theatre in Hampton 

*** NEW ***

Country Music Kickoff

The Barn at Escondido Farm

Hampton SC

Doors open at 6 pm

SEE ENTERTAINMENT PAGE FOR MORE

 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hampton-county-watermelon-festival-country-music-kickoff-tickets-914669098897 

   Youth Parade

Line up at 6 pm, Parade starts at 7 pm 

Held in Varnville

 Opening Ceremony

7:30 pm at the Varnville gazebo following the Youth Parade.  The Grand Marshals, Town Queens, and dignitaries will be present.  

 Taste of Hampton County

(a local food truck event)

Food trucks will be set up in Varnville 

near the Town Hall

This event will be from 11 am until 8:30 pm 

Taste of Hampton County

(a local food truck event)

Food trucks will be set up in Varnville 

near the Town Hall

This event will be from 11 am until 8:30 pm

Children's Day in the Park 

Two hours of fun filled entertainment specifically designed for young children up to 12 years of age.  There is face painting, games,  and other activities.  It's lots of fun and a great opportunity for kids to enjoy being part of the Watermelon Festival.  Come join other families at Lake Warren State Park from 10 am until 12 noon.

Country music concert

Palmetto Theatre in Hampton

6 - 8 pm

Blue Grass band

8 - 10 pm

Town of Hampton Gazebo

(across from the courthouse)

** SEE THE FLYER ON THE ENTERTAINMENT PAGE **

Hampton County Watermelon Festival Fishing Tournament

Held at Lake Warren State Park

Begins at 6 am at Picnic Shelter #2.  

Registration for children 5 & under are free,

ages 6 & up will be $5

You may weigh your catch throughout the day.  

Please have your catch weighed in by 4 pm.

Trophies and door prizes following weigh in.

Also there will be a drawing to give away a lifetime hunting and fishing license to a child.  Ages 2-15 are eligible for the raffle.  They will receive a ticket during registration.  Must be present to win.  

More information to come!

Tractor Driving Contest

4 PM at Hampton County Clemson Extension Office 

(12 Walnut St E. Hampton SC)

Age requirement: 

14-18 High school students

See Applications page for additional info. on Tractor Driving Contest

 Pet Show

Held at Lake Warren State Park

starting at 6:00 pm

Battle of the Towns

Held at Hampton County High School football field

Begins at 7 pm

Admission $5 (children under 4 free)

There will also be some special events:

Baby Crawl

Official Melon Eating Contest

Arts and Crafts Vendors check-in

Begins after 5 pm -- Hampton Courthouse

Little Shop of Horrors

7 pm at the Palmetto Theatre

(local High School cast)

** SEE ENTERTAINMENT PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL INFO **

Our parade is known as the longest in the state of South Carolina. 3.2 miles, beginning in the Town of Varnville ending in the Town of Hampton. We can knock on wood because since our festival's inception in 1939, the Watermelon Festival has never been rained out. That's pretty amazing for 76 years.   

Queens, floats, state and local dignitaries are just a few of our festival's highlights. We also display bands like the Marine band, local homemade floats and decorated vehicles and horses. Remember, our parade is always during the summer so make sure you find some shade (unless you're looking to get a tan). Bring plenty of water to drink or keep an eye out for water being handed out and/or surprise mists of water during the parade. The parade starts at 9:45 a.m.

Our Festival Street Dance is the 2nd largest event of the Festival each year (the Parade being the largest in attendance). Lee Ave., in Downtown Hampton, is designated to the street dance on the Friday before the parade and the night is filled with music and old fashioned family fun! See old friends and make new friends. Who knows, many girls and guys may meet their future husband or wife on our special night.   On the courthouse end of the street you'll find one genre of live band entertainment, carefully and thoughtfully selected by the festival committee...on the other end of the street you'll find and entirely different genre of music to cater to the differences of many.   

As always, the Street Dance will feature a two great bands.  One of the best things about the Street Dance is that it's FREE and there's plenty of food just across the street near the Courthouse Square if you get hungry. Pick up some great crafts and souvenirs while you're there. 

 Presentation of the committee chair and co-chair  

Presentation of the grand marshal, speaker, and Melon Belles and Beaus  

Free watermelon slices will be served

Many local food vendors will be available Monday and Tuesday afternoon around the Varnville Town Hall area:

Sugar Shack

5 R Concessions

Willie Grill Shak

Silver Bullet Cafe

Pork Skins

Willie Rakes Cafe

Big Ram's Boiled Peanuts

Juanda with J's Rainbow Italian Ice

The Festival Fishing Contest is one of the Watermelon Festival's oldest events with all-day fishing out at Lake Warren State Park for ages young and old. There are lots of free giveaways and trophies for several species of fish. If you have a boat, bring it. If you don't have a boat, then take advantage of the dam, spillway, gazebo or pier. Don't forget your bait and you may want to bring some sunscreen and bug repellant along with something to drink, but remember no alcohol! Registration for the contest is inside the Lake Warren State Park gate at Picnic Shelter #2 and starts at 6 a.m. Bring the whole family and catch a mess of fish. Who knows maybe you'll win a prize while you're there! 

 The Battle of the Towns has been around for 39 years with teams from several of the towns and communities of Hampton County competing for bragging rights as well as the Hampton County shaped trophy that the winning team keeps for a year. Each team participates in what may be some of the wackiest races and competitions that you will ever see. The Festival Committee sponsors the event on the Wade Hampton Football Field and always manages to come up with the craziest, most off-the-wall ideas imaginable. The event is family-friendly and even includes a "baby crawl" competition to determine who the fastest youngin' on all fours is. Concessions are always available at this event. Bring the whole family out for a night of excitement and silliness. .

Yes, the kids in Hampton County have their own parade, too! Each year the Festival Youth Parade draws a huge crowd to the town of Varnville and features the amazing ingenuity that these kids are  known for when it comes to decorating for this event. Baby carriages, strollers, wagons and golf carts are all decked out in the year's Festival theme with the parade beginning at the Varnville Baptist Church and ending at the Varnville Gazebo. Following the parade, trophies are awarded for each classification and then it's free watermelon slice time! 

 "Children's Day in the Park" is two hours of fun-filled entertainment specifically designed for the younger youngsters. There's everything from face painting, sidewalk chalk, contests, games of chance and even a water slide and bounce house. While you and the kids are there you can enjoy entertainment performed by local talents in the field of dance and music. It's lots of fun and a great opportunity for the kids to get out and enjoy being part of the Watermelon Festival. Make sure your babies wear sunscreen and get plenty of fluids because it's probably going to be hot. 

The Watermelon Judging Contest will be held on Saturday, June 22nd at 8:30 am at the Hampton town Gazebo.  Winners will be announced at 9 am.