2026 Knox County Watermelon Festival

03/02/2026

Vendor applications are now OPEN! 🍉

We're officially accepting vendors for the 2026 Watermelon Festival - and we want you there!

Food vendors, makers, artists, and unique businesses are encouraged to apply and be part of one of our biggest community events of the year. Don't miss your chance to showcase your business in downtown Vincennes!

📅 Applications close: July 15
⏳ Spaces are limited - apply early!

👉 Click the link below to submit your vendor application today.
https://conta.cc/4kUtSMn

08/05/2025

08/05/2025

Congratulations to our 2025 Watermelon Festival Pageant Winners! 👑🍉

From tiny tots to dazzling teens, these incredible contestants brought the sweetness, sparkle, and serious watermelon spirit to the stage. We are so proud of each and every one of you!

✨ Winners:
Newborn - 12M: (Girls) Josie Wells & Penelope Hoops (Boys) Mack McCoy
13M - 24M: (Girls) Emily Wright & Gianna Brower (Boys) Eli Wright
25M - 35M: Ridley Cleghorn
3yr: Lyra Murphy
4yr: (Girls) Aurora Catiller (Boys) Pierson Swick
5yr: Blakely Lyon
Little Miss: Debra Mayles
Junior: Lila Carie
Tiny: Mia Lynn Woodall
Teen: Adrian Moon
Miss Watermelon: Kyndall Quarterman

Thank you to our wonderful pageant director, Elizabeth Hardin, and to our sponsors: Illiana Watermelon Association and WZDM 92.1FM Vincennes, IN!

More pageant photos will be uploaded soon 📸

08/02/2025

Some of the dogs of Watermelon Fest 🐶🐾🦴

Did you know that our festival is a animal friendly event? We LOVE to see your furry friends, so bring the entire family and come visit us at Patrick Henry Square 🫶

(The first pup pictured is available for adoption, is SO sweet, and at the Vincennes Animal Shelter)

08/02/2025

Congratulations to our two seed spitting winners, sponsored by Visit Vincennes/Knox County! 💦🍉

There is STILL TIME to come out and enjoy the festival - live music, watermelon toss contest, Miss Watermelon pageant, and much more coming this afternoon 🫶😍

08/02/2025

We started today bright & early with our 5K Color Run/Walk, presented by Old National Bank ☀️

Top Male: Landon Lundy
Top Female: Sophia Allen
Best Dressed: Martin Christensen

This was SUCH A FUN MORNING! Thank you to our runners, our sponsors, our water stations, and our volunteers for making this such a wonderful AND colorful morning 🍉🫶🌈

08/02/2025

08/02/2025

And night one is a wrap 🫶 Thank you to EVERYONE who helped us kick off our festival weekend - especially our Presenting Sponsor Sparklight 🙌

Now - we rest 🥱 But we CAN’T WAIT to see everyone tomorrow, starting bright & early with our 2023 Watermelon Festival 5K Run/Walk Presented by Old National Bank! 🍉🏃🌈