Franklin County Watermelon Festival gears up
PHOTO BY SOMMER MORRIS - Oliver Morris gets ready for watermelon fun.

Franklin County, News, Russellville, Z - News Main, Z - TOP HOME
 By  María Camp Published 
8:18 pm Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Franklin County Watermelon Festival gears up

Now in its 42nd year, the Franklin County Watermelon Festival is a longtime favorite. This year’s festival takes place Aug. 18-19 in downtown Russellville. The festivities kick off Aug. 18 at 6:45 p.m. with the opening ceremony.

Reigning Watermelon Queen, Silvie Miller, will cut the first watermelon of the festival. 
 Friday’s musical entertainment features Tremayne at 7:00 p.m. and Velcro Pygmies at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday’s musical lineup features Rewind at 6:00 p.m., Austin Bohannon at 7:00 p.m. and Colt Ford at 8:30 p.m. 
 Other activities include contests, vendors and a car show.

The Franklin County Watermelon Festival car show takes place August 19 from 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., with prizes awarded throughout the day. For more information, call 256-412-5724. 
 A 5K and one-mile fun run will take place August 19 at 7:30 a.m., with registration at 6:45 a.m. at the Russellville High School field House. 5K registration is $25. One-mile registration is $20.

The event is hosted by the RHS cross-country team. The one-mile fun run takes place immediately following the 5K. 
 Additional festival features on Saturday include character guests from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., as well as contests and watermelon in the park from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The Roxy’s “Dancing through the Decades” starts at 10:00 a.m. and runs through 5:00 p.m. Among the featured groups are Addie’s Flip Tip and Tap and Tara Greenhill’s students. Tickets cost $5 for one show or $10 for a day pass.

Also on Franklin County Times
First Metro Bank donates $250K to hospital
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville Hospital has received a $250,000 donation from First Metro Bank through a state tax credit program. “All rural hospitals a...
PC grad had role in Artemis II launch
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
By Bernie Delinski and María Camp 
April 8, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Noah Williams stood in a grassy field at Kennedy Space Center on April 1 about seven miles from the Artemis II launch pad. It was the ...
Locals react to US’s 10-day space flight
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Rocky Stone, former Russellville High School principal, called last week’s Artemis II launch a “milestone” in the United States’ space ...
Gray hired as UNA director of bands
News
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
April 8, 2026
FLORENCE — Joseph Gray has been named the next director of bands for the University of North Alabama. He will also serve as an associate professor of ...
Protect local deposits which power growth
Columnists, Opinion
April 8, 2026
Most conversations about new digital payment tools often miss a crucial reality: When money exits community bank deposits, local lending is directly i...
Meeting highlights service, awards
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
April 8, 2026
Members of the GFWC Book Lovers Study Club reported more than $2,700 was raised for community causes, and the chapter received multiple awards during ...
Waypoint Church hosts Easter egg hunt
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Waypoint Church held an Easter event at Sloss Lake Friday afternoon. The free event included photos with the Easter bunny, music (inclu...
Band turns life’s stories into songs
Features, News
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
April 8, 2026
For the band OTIS, the road isn’t just for touring and performance. Between shows, in parking lots and back rooms, the band gathers stories from the p...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *