CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Watermelon Festival

62nd Annual Watermelon Festival
June 15 and 16, 2012
Watermelon Recipes, Carvings, Health & Nutrition,
Kids Page, Fun Facts & FAQ

SCHEDULE FOR JUNE 2012
Click HERE to register for the Parade, Pageants Ages 0-12, Kiwanis 5K Melon Run, Baby Photo Contest,
Car Show, Essay Writing Scholarship Contest, & Altrusa Bed Race

* Pageant Application Deadlines:
Ages 0-12 years of age Friday, May 25
All contestants should provide a color photo along with the application and fee.
Any size photo is acceptable.

WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR TEEN MISS
AND WATERMELON QUEEN PAGEANTS. TRY AGAIN IN 2013!

Program Cover Art Contest--Thank you! We have our winner!
We will announce the winner and runner up winners soon.

The Watermelon Programs and Watermelon tshirts will be available by the end of May at the
Chamber of Commerce and other locations around town.

Arts & Crafts Vendors click here to download registration form
Food Vendors: We are no longer accepting food vendors. Try again in 2013!
After downloading vendor registration form, fill it out, then
1. Email to monticelloevents@gmail.com OR
2. Fax to 850-997-2063 OR
3. Mail with payment to Monticello Events, PO Box 4, Monticello, FL 32345

Either mail your payment with registration form, OR click here to pay online!

The Monticello Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the 62nd Annual Watermelon Festival in Monticello, Florida. This region in northern Florida is just east of the capitol city of Tallahassee, yet the area is well known for an agricultural heritage and a rural atmosphere reminiscent of "old Florida". Local farms began growing watermelons during the late 1800's. The soil and weather proved to be a great combination for the watermelon crops.

By 1884, Jefferson County was considered the top watermelon seed supplier in the world. Prominent seed supplier William M. Girardeau became very successful after he developed the first commercial machine for separating the seeds from the watermelons.

Over the years, many local farms continued to grow and market watermelons and watermelon seeds. This trend continued for decades and inspired the first Jefferson County Watermelon Festival in Monticello. Over the years, many new events have been added to the Festival.

The Watermelon Festival is the highlight of community activities in Jefferson County. Started over 50 years ago to recognize the watermelon growers of the county, the festival includes beauty pageants, dinners, street dance, arts and crafts, melon run, sports events, and parade. Held each year the third week of June, the festival encourages community groups to sponsor events and raise funds for ongoing projects.

Watermelon Festival Photos! Click here!

More photos below!