Winterville Watermelon Festival

08/31/2026

🍉 That’s a wrap on the 41st Winterville Watermelon Festival! 🍉

We’re exhausted. Our feet are sore. Our shoes are wet. We’ll definitely be finding watermelon-themed things in our cars for weeks. But most of all, our hearts are full.

This festival takes months of planning, a whole lot of problem-solving, some very long days, and an incredible group of people willing to jump in wherever they’re needed.

This photo may not have every volunteer who helped make this week happen, but it has a whole lot of them - and we couldn’t be more grateful for every single person who gave their time, energy, and heart to the Winterville Watermelon Festival.

And to everyone who came out, rode the rides, watched the parade, shopped our vendors, ate the food, enjoyed the music, grabbed some watermelon, and made memories with us - thank you!

At the end of the day, this festival is about our community. And seeing so many of you show up to celebrate this little tradition we love so much makes all the tired feet worth it.

Thank you, Winterville ❤️

Now we want to see the festival through your eyes! Drop your favorite photos from this year in the comments.

08/30/2026

Our magician Michael Bloemeke is getting ready to start! Come out to the ampitheatre stage to check him out.

08/29/2026

Come spend your Sunday with us for a day packed with family fun, vendors, amusement rides, inflatable games, and MAGIC performances!

🎟️ WRISTBAND DAY — $25
🕐 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🎡 Vendors & Amusement Rides
🏰 Inflatable Games
🎩 Magic Performances
🍉 And plenty of Watermelon Festival fun!

Bring the family, grab your wristbands, and let’s close out summer the right way!

08/29/2026

Lost wallet found and at t-shirt tent at Watermelon Festival.

08/29/2026

The weather for this evening is looking better than this morning! Here's a couple requested updates:
Concert tickets can be purchased at the gates. Rides are running now and are planning to remain open, just as the concert is still on as long as it's safe for everyone! Bring your poncho and rainboots (and lawn chair for the concert) and we'll see you soon!

08/29/2026

Don't forget you can buy wristbands ahead for tomorrow to save $!

Fun Fest is coming to Winterville, NC!! (Free Gate Admission / Free Parking)
Buy Now and Save ---> app.gopassage.com/events/WatermelonFestival2026
Click Share at Checkout for Additional Discount
When: Friday, August 28- Sunday, August 30, 2026
Location: 324 Sylvania Street Winterville NC 28590
Operating Hours:
Friday, 5:00PM-10:00PM
Saturday, 11:00AM-10:00PM
Sunday, 1:00PM-6:00PM
Unlimited Ride Wristbands will be available Sunday, valid from 1:00PM to 6:00PM. CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE
******Like, Share, and Tag this post for a chance to win a free 4-Pack of Wristbands!! One winner will be chosen each day that wristbands are valid. The more friends you tag in this post, the better your chances of winning!!!******.

08/29/2026

Grab your ponchos and rainboots and come have some fun with us! Watermelon eating contest just finished up and only more fun to come this evening.

08/29/2026

The Watermelon Eating contest is still on! We will start late, 12:15 to accommodate those just getting here due to the rain.

Come on over!! 🍉

08/29/2026

Fun Fest is coming to Winterville, NC!! (Free Gate Admission / Free Parking)
Buy Now and Save ---> app.gopassage.com/events/WatermelonFestival2026
Click Share at Checkout for Additional Discount
When: Friday, August 28- Sunday, August 30, 2026
Location: 324 Sylvania Street Winterville NC 28590
Operating Hours:
Friday, 5:00PM-10:00PM
Saturday, 11:00AM-10:00PM
Sunday, 1:00PM-6:00PM
Unlimited Ride Wristbands will be available Sunday, valid from 1:00PM to 6:00PM. CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE
******Like, Share, and Tag this post for a chance to win a free 4-Pack of Wristbands!! One winner will be chosen each day that wristbands are valid. The more friends you tag in this post, the better your chances of winning!!!******.

08/28/2026

OFFICIAL STATEMENT: WINTERVILLE WATERMELON FESTIVAL

The Winterville Watermelon Festival would like to provide an update regarding amusement rides at this year’s festival.

Due to circumstances outside of the Festival’s control, we were unable to operate amusement rides as planned on Thursday evening. We know the rides are an important part of the festival experience for many of our families, and we sincerely appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.

From the moment the issue arose, every agency and partner involved worked tirelessly alongside Festival leadership to help us find a path forward. We are incredibly grateful for the cooperation, responsiveness, and support shown throughout this unexpected situation.

We are proud to announce that Fun Fest Midways is joining us for the remainder of the 2026 Winterville Watermelon Festival! Their team is working to complete setup, and rides are expected to be up and running on Friday, August 28.

Ride pricing will continue as planned, and Sunday will remain Wristband Day as scheduled.

We are thankful to Jerry Abrams and Fun Fest Midways for stepping in on such short notice and to everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this possible.

Most importantly, thank you to our community for your patience, flexibility, and continued support of the Winterville Watermelon Festival. We look forward to seeing everyone at the festival this weekend!