By Michelle Bates
The 41st 2024 Saline Watermelon Festival is fast approaching, and it will have a variety of activities for the whole family.
Set for Saturday, July 13, the annual watermelon festival will begin with the Saline Watermelon Pageant Thursday, July 11, and Friday, July 12, at 6:30 p.m. both nights at the Saline High School gymnasium. The pageant crowns are custom this year, Festival President Anna Duck said.
On the day of the festival, each queen will participate in the annual parade, whose lineup begins at 9 a.m. with the parade beginning at 10 a.m.
On Festival Day, His Mission Team Bass Tournament will be at 5:30 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., where participants can fish any lake. However, registration will be at the Mill Creek Public Boat ramp, Friday, July 12, from 6 until 7 p.m. Weigh-in will be at 2:45 p.m., at the festival stage. First place will win $500. Contact the mission team for more information at 318-471-7047 or 318-268-1134. Proceeds from the bass tournament will be used to support their out-of-state missions, helping families in need. It will also support local missions where the organization helps elderly and the under-privileged with handicapped ramps, safety issues and minor home repairs.
With a time to be announced, SWF is bringing back the arm wrestling contest, which will be held on Festival Day at 4th Street. Must be 18 to enter, or 15-17 year-olds with parents’ consent. There will be a $20 entry fee with awards for first, second and third places. “It’s been 24 years since the last arm wrestling event,” Duck said. For more information, contact Robby Morgan at 318-540-3183 or John Warren.
A car show will also be presented with open classes, including to cars, trucks, tractors, bikes, Jeeps, or military vehicles. Admission is free for spectators and families. For more information, contact Quince Plunkett at 318-259-7466.
The Dam Melon Run will be Saturday morning at 7 a.m., with a $20 registration fee. All proceeds from the run will benefit the Storehouse of Saline Food Pantry. Sign up will begin at 6 a.m. at Saline High School. Awards will be given to first, second and third place in all age groups. The race will begin at 1255 Cooper Street in Saline.
The Festival Committee is also presenting its first photo contest, where winners will be announced on kick-off night, Monday, July 8. Each 8×10 photo will be placed in the windows of all the businesses in downtown Saline all week.
Karaoke Night will also return this year on Festival Day from 4 until 6 p.m. There will be three rounds, with a prize awarded to first place. Contact Stephanie Goss at 318-581-1275 or Lee Cavazos at 318-542-2618 for more information. Entry forms can be picked up and dropped off at BFE Pool Hall/Tea Shop, located at 129 Highway 9 in Saline.
“The festival is the biggest it’s been since 1999,” Duck said.
Festival t-shirts will also be available for sale for $20. Sizes include Youth: XS, small, medium and large; Adult: small, medium, large, XL, 2XL and 3XL. Call any member of the festival committee or email salinewatermelonfestival24@gmail.com.
There will be many more activities for everyone in the whole family all week long before Festival Day. Go to their Facebook Page for more details.