On July 26, take a short drive from almost anywhere in the Mid-Columbia to Irrigon, Ore. Bring the family and find something for everyone to enjoy at the Irrigon Watermelon Festival.
In 1984 a group of local ladies wanted to celebrate their community and one of its strongest attributes — Watermelon farming. While watermelons aren’t grown much in Irrigon anymore, the town still celebrates the sweetness of the harvest — and, most of all, the community.
There’s nothing better than a sweet, juicy watermelon on a hot summer day. And there’s no better time and place to do it than a July day in Irrigon. The hot days and cool nights early in the growing season along the Columbia River give locally grown melons an unusually high sugar content.
This year’s festivities will include all-day live entertainment, food and craft vendors, kids’ games for all ages, boat rides, a bouncy house, a mechanical bull and much more.
Rounding out the day at 7 p.m. will be a beer garden and live music by Nashville recording artist and songwriter Randy Woody, known for his deep voice and heartfelt, outlaw country style. At 10 p.m., enjoy a fantastic fireworks display.
For photos, updates and information, visit Irrigon Watermelon Festival on Facebook.