Watermelon Festival returning to Rush Springs

RUSH SPRINGS, Okla. ( KFOR ) – Get ready for some sweet watermelon as the Watermelon Festival in Rush Springs, Oklahoma kicks off August 10 in Chickasaw country.

The town of Rush Springs will celebrate its 79th annual Watermelon Festival on at Jeff Davis Park in Rush Springs with a full schedule of entertainment and activities. The festival has been an annual event since 1948, while the expected attendance continues to grow.

The event is scheduled to feature a seed-spitting contest, an arts and craft fair featuring over 100 vendors, carnival rides, live entertainment, stage shows, on-site food vendors and a classic automotive show!

Watermelon fans can expect to see a unique rodeo on Thursday and Friday before returning on Saturday to sample local acres of black diamond, royal sweet and other watermelon varieties. The festival is set to kick off with the crowning of Mr. and Miss Rush Springs Tiny Tot contest with the opportunity to meet the current reigning Watermelon Queen Ms. Audrey Heath.

The Duncan Banner first reported Heath’s drive to run for the title of Watermelon Queen came from her grandparents’ love for Rush Springs. “My grandfather’s sister ran for Watermelon Queen and he always talked about his granddaughter being Watermelon Queen,” she said.

Heath said she started her own “Melon Minute” to talk about the festival and promote their own growers in the area. The next appearance for Heath will be at the Oklahoma State Capitol for “Watermelon Day at the Capitol” July 31. After accepting the queen candidacy May 11, Heath will officially be crowned at noon Aug. 10.

Location:

Jeff Davis Park
E on Main St Rush Springs, OK 73082

According to the Rush Spring Watermelon Festival Facebook page , local growers are doing pop-ups throughout the week as well as the weekends in addition to the festival to ensure no one misses any appearances.

For more information, click here .

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