Chamber finalizes band lineup for festival
After pushing back announcements to make sure everything fell into place, the Chamber of Commerce has finalized details, and the word is finally out about who will be performing at the 40th annual Watermelon Festival.
The lineup will feature four local artists, and the two main headliners will be tribute bands.
“We waited a while about announcing it because we had a few different headliners fall through, but we are relieved everything fell into place,” said Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Director Cassie Medley. “It’s so exciting to be able to unveil the full lineup.”
The first act will be Tremayne, who will take the stage Friday night at 6 p.m., with Rewind of the Shoals following at 7 p.m.
Friday night’s headline act will be Shootin’ You Straight, which is a Lynard Skynard cover band. Medley said Shootin’ You Straight performed at the 2019 Watermelon Festival. They will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. Friday night.
Saturday night will kick off with the Kerry Gilbert Band taking the stage at 6 p.m., followed by the Jospeh Baldwin band at 7 p.m.
The headliner for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. will be Shawn Gerhard, the ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute Band.
Medley said this group is from Birmingham and had caught the attention of the Chamber of Commerce for the quality of their performances and how close they seem to Garth Brooks.
“We have seen videos, and it is just crazy to me how much he looks like him and sounds just like him,” Medley said. “We thought they would be a good one to have because most people like Garth Brooks.”
Medley said the lineup includes a variety of styles of music, with an emphasis on showcasing local talent.
“That is something we are always told that people want – us to showcase local talent,” Medley said. “We are very fortunate we have a good number of local talents to include.”
All of the opening performers are local acts.
Baldwin said he is blessed to have the opportunity to perform at the Watermelon Festival again.
“It is amazing to see so many folks at an event, especially from my neighboring town,” Baldwin said. “I am really looking forward to performing at it.”
In addition to the lineup, Russellville High School senior and one of last year’s Franklin County Junior Leaders Madeline Cooper will be performing the National Anthem, and Miss Alabama Lauren Bradford will also be in attendance for the Watermelon Festival.
“We have so much going on and so many exciting things happening,” Medley said. “We are really looking forward to how things turn out this year.”
T-SHIRTS
Watermelon Festival T-shirts are now on sale. The colors available this year are mint, violet, gray, heather navy and heather red, in sizes from youth through adult 4X.
Children’s sizes will be available in mint. Long-sleeved T-shirts will be available in Carolina blue, in sizes adult small to adult 2X.
Cost is $10 for children’s sizes, $15 for youth through adult XL, $18 for adult 2X through 4X and $20 for long-sleeved.
