Melon Fest

A Celebration of Watermelon & Community 

Join us for the sweetest event of the summer—Melon Fest returns to downtown Hermiston on Saturday, August 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s festival is bigger, better, and more Melony than ever!

Celebrate our world-famous Hermiston watermelons with free slices, live music, local vendors, the classic car and hot rod show, and crowd-favorite contests.

• Rotary Breakcast | 7-9 a.m.
• Music by KOHU on Festival Street | 8 a.m.
• Industry Dance Company | 9 a.m.
• Watermelon Costume Contest | 10:30 a.m. – Prizes: $300, $200, $100
• Seed Spitting Contest | 11 a.m.
• Watermelon Eating Contest | noon
• Music by Musically Unstable | 12:30 p.m.
• Bathtub Races | 1 p.m.

Come for the melons, stay for the fun. Vendor registration is open through August 9.
Contest sign-ups and full schedule: bit.ly/hermistonrecreation

Bring your friends, your appetite, and your best melon gear—let’s make this Melon Fest the best one yet!

Melon Fest Bathtub Races!

Sign up now to reserve your spot in the race!

The Melon Fest Bathtub Races are a high-energy relay where teams of three—one rider and two pushers—race wheeled bathtubs down Festival Street. The first round features head-to-head sprints to record the fastest times. The top teams advance into a tournament-style bracket, leading to a championship showdown. Prizes are awarded for 1st Place and Best Dressed Team. Get ready for speed, style, and plenty of laughs!

Vendor application below!