The Return Of The Original Watermelon Festival At Downtown Wichita Falls Original Farmers Market

A year, or so, ago, a dispute at the downtown Wichita Falls Farmers Market caused a rogue group to split from the existing Farmers Market to start up a new Farmers Market a few blocks north of the original Farmers Market.

The rogue Farmers Market is not in a nice facility, with an outdoor plaza, such as exists at the original Wichita Falls Farmers Market. 

Last week this town's only newspaper, the Wichita Falls Times News Record had a headline saying Watermelon Festival returns to Wichita Falls Farmers Market.

The Watermelon Festival is the funnest festival I've experienced in this town. So, seeing that headline made me happy.

And then I read the article.

The Watermelon Festival took place this past Saturday at the rogue Farmers Market, not the original Farmers Market.

So, I did not go get myself some watermelon on Saturday.

Then yesterday I got an email which included that graphic you see above. Make note of "The Original" part of the graphic.

Here is the text from the Watermelon Festival email...

12th Annual Watermelon Fest

The Original Watermelon Fest returns to the Downtown Wichita Falls Farmers Market on Saturday, July 29th from 9am - 1pm, hosted by the Board of Directors of Downtown Wichita Falls Development.

Entertainment:

FREE Watermelon Slices - 10AM - 1PM or until we run out

Melon Bar

Seed Spitting Contest - 11AM

Watermelon Eating Contest - 12PM

Fruit Carving by Earl Carter

Watermelon volcanoes and Mini Catapults by CrashWorks

Live Music by TriFikeda

Shopping:

Watermelon margaritas by the Traveling Tavern

Frozen watermelon wine drinks by OG Cellars

Watermelon pie by Pies on the Side

Watermelon soap by The Front Porch Farm

Watermelon earrings by Wildflower Clay Co.

and more watermelon inspired handmade goods!

_____________________

Watermelon pie? That does not sound good to me. Watermelon margaritas and frozen watermelon wine drinks might be tasty.

COVID killed the Watermelon Festival, along with other festivals, like the Blackberry Festival, which was another fun one, with real tasty blackberry cobbler.

The watermelon seed spitting contest is amusing. I do not remember seeing a watermelon eating contest at the previous Watermelon Festivals I've been to. I have zero clue was a watermelon volcano might be, or mini catapults.

Next Saturday is currently scheduled to be HOT, over 100. If I remember correctly the interior space at the Farmers Market is air conditioned. That or it has multiple ceiling fans.