Saturday, September 1st 2007
(7:00am - Midnight)


First held in 1980, the Monroe County Watermelon Festival has grown to be one of the largest festivals in the area, attracting more than 10,000 people to Tompkinsville, Ky. on the Saturday before Labor Day each year . The Festival offers a wide variety of activities, most taking place in the downtown area, on or near the courthouse square.



5-K and Fun Runs - The opening event on Festival Day, the 5-K and Fun Runs start at 8 am on Saturday in the downtown area. Advance registration is encouraged but not required.

Cruise-in and Antique Tractor/Engine Show - If you like cars and trucks, you don't want to miss the Cruise-in, held in a new location this year (closer to the other festival events downtown) - the parking lot of the former Houchens building off Fourth Street (Celina Road). Dash plaques will be awarded to the first 100 cars, and door prizes will be given every half hour. The Antique Tractor and Engine Show also will be at a new location this year (near the intersection of Fourth & Magnolia Streets, behind South Central Bank). There, you'll see not only antique tractors but also antique gas engines and tools and other old-time equipment.

Rolley-Hole Marble Tournament - Stop by and watch one of the festival's special events, involving a marble game unique to the Monroe County area, with the players mainly adult men using hand-crafted flint marbles. Starting in mid-morning and continuing throughout the day, the tournament is held on a specially-built marble yard, a half-block from the courthouse.

Watermelon-Related Events - You'll want to watch the weigh-in at noon to determine the largest watermelon grown in Monroe County this year, and see entries in the Decorated and Carved Watermelon Contests on display nearby. Kids will want to take part in the annual Watermelon Fun and Games (watermelon carry, seed-spitting and watermelon eating) to be held during the afternoon.

Arts and Crafts Fair and Food Court - In the streets beside and in back of the courthouse will be more than 100 booths, featuring arts and crafts (plus approved commercial items); a variety of good food (be sure and try Monroe County's famous barbecue); and promotional booths and exhibits by local organizations. The Fair will be open from 10 am to 5 pm, but the food can be enjoyed from the beginning to the end of the festival.

Festival Parade - Grand marshal of this year's parade will be Phillip Gearlds State Command Sergeant Major of the Kentucky National Guard, who grew up in Monroe County. The parade, held in mid-morning, usually lasts about an hour, starting at Monroe County High School and proceeding through the downtown area.

All-Day Live Entertainment - From the bandstand in the courthouse lawn and at various locations around the courthouse area, you'll find country, gospel and bluegrass groups; contemporary bands; the local high school band; individual vocalists (mostly County Fair Talent Show winners); traditional musicians; and impromptu "shade-tree pickin'," starting early and continuing into the night. You also can hear a concert at 11 am by Lorinda (Froedge) Jones, who plays the dulcimer, Celtic harp and other traditional instruments (both are Monroe County natives), and at 1 pm, noted folklorist Dr. Lynwood Montell tell stories about family history traditions. This year, Saturday night's pickin' and singin', which, in the past, has been held in the City Hall parking lot behind the courthouse, has been combined with the Street Dance. The dance and other entertainment will take place on Main Street, in front of the courthouse, 7-11 pm, as the final festival events on Saturday nights. Groups scheduled to take part on Saturday night include Southern Express, Kettle Creek Bluegrass, Anderson & Brown, Stateline Bluegrass and the Kerr Family.

Art Show - Painting, drawing, photography, three-dimensional art and other type of art work can be seen at this annual show, which attracted some 250 entries last year. The Adult Show is open but the Youth Division is for Monroe County youth only. The public can view the artwork from 11 am to 3:30 pm in the Family Resource Center (old high school) three blocks west of the courthouse.

Quilt Show - From 11 am until 4 pm, you can view the handiwork of quilters from Monroe and neighboring counties at the annual Quilt Show, held in the basement of the First Baptist Church, downtown. Some 50 quilts were entered last year.

Other Attractions - Among the other events during the day are a Horsehoe Tournament, clogging demonstrations, a Cake Walk; inflatable games and other activities for both children and adults. A newer event is the 100-mile Watermelon Ride (motorcycles).

Pre-Festival Events - Come early and attend the Bluegrass Festival (Thursday night, Friday afternoon and night) at Tompkinsville's City Park. (groups scheduled to appear are Southern Express, Stateline Bluegrass, Anderson & Brown Bluegrass, Amber Burkes Bluegrass Band and Kettle Creek Bluegrass). The annual Watermelon Festival Beauty Pageant/Baby Show will be held at the Monroe County High School.


Since its beginning, the Monroe County Watermelon Festival has been sponsored by the Tompkinsville Jaycees and the Monroe Arts Council, with other local organizations conducting individual events as part of the festival.















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