Thousands filled the Union Parish Courthouse Square this weekend for the 63rd Annual Louisiana Watermelon Festival, celebrating North Louisiana’s cherished summer tradition.
Organized by the Farmerville Jaycees, the two-day event kicked off Saturday with hundreds tackling “Watermelon Mountain” in the annual 5K run.
Proceeds benefited the Willpower Foundation in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Agriculture remained at the festival’s heart as local growers competed for the heaviest and sweetest melons. High sugar counts and massive weights drew eager crowds to the official LSU AgCenter weigh-ins and public auction.
A vibrant Main Street parade featured floats, marching bands, and pageant winners, while downtown stayed packed with street dances, vendor booths, and crowd-favorite seed-spitting and watermelon-eating contests.
Organizers hailed the massive turnout, cementing Farmerville’s status as a premier regional summer destination.
