Grand Bay hosts their 50th Annual Watermelon Festival

MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — The annual Grand Bay Watermelon Festival returns this year, and not only celebrating the 4th of July but also their 50th year milestone.

This beloved festival has something for everyone, and of course, lots of watermelon.

“Grand Bay is known for their watermelon,” Grand Bay resident, Wendell Mosley, said.

The two-day long event is held July 3 and 4, centered around Independence Day. There are contests, entertainment, Arts & Crafts, rides, and so much more.

The Grand Bay Watermelon Queen’s pageant was held on April 27 this year. Both former and current winners were among those at the festival.

Oakley Mims, 2024 Watermelon Queen for the 17-18 age division, said this is her first time attending the Watermelon Festival.

“I feel very excited about it being the 50th annual year,” said Mims. “It feels really special to be a queen this year, besides all the other years.”

Priscilla Wright Jackson was crowned the first Watermelon queen in 1974. 50 years later, Jackson said she was honored to be in the first group.

But most of all, she said she loves that the community can come together to celebrate the 4th of July holiday.

“The love of the country that has just given us all so much, we can’t be thankful enough for the 4th of July because it does have the people in America come together,” Jackson said. “So, it means a lot to me and my family in this community.”

The festival ends at 6 p.m., with a fireworks show at dusk. Admission is only $5 a vehicle. The Grand Bay festival is held at Odd Fellows Festival Park.

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