43rd Annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival

RUSSELLVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Since 1981 the Franklin County Watermelon Festival has been providing a weekend full of fun for the family and sweet watermelon.

Every third weekend in August, the festival is held in Russellville also known as the watermelon capital of Alabama. This year’s festival will take place on Friday, Aug. 16, and Saturday, Aug. 17.

Each day there will be music on the main stage, and vendors and the kids zone will line Jackson Ave. On Saturday the the annual 5K will take place in the morning and for the car enthusiasts, the annual truck and car show will take place.

When it comes to watermelons, there will be plenty of them. The watermelon contests will take place Saturday morning at the Russellville First Baptist Park. From the largest watermelon to the seed-spitting contest, there will be something for everyone.

If you plan to head to the festival Friday evening make sure you stay weather aware. A cold front passage will ignite showers and storms late in the afternoon and evening.

On Saturday afternoon the isolated shower and storm chance continues but it won’t be a washout. The main threats from storms will be strong winds, frequent lightning, and heavy rain. Temperatures will be on the warm side with highs forecast to be in the low to mid 90s.

You can learn more about the festival on the Franklin County Chamber Of Commerce website or by following its Facebook Page .

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