Hermiston 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 22 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.

Come for the melons, stay for the fun. Vendor registration is open.

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!

What are Melon Fest Bathtub Races? 

The Melon Fest Bathtub Races are the premier event of Melon Fest—an energetic, head-to-head relay where teams of three (two pushers and one driver) race custom melon-themed bathtubs, originally from the Hershey Chocolate Factory, down a 100-foot course on Festival Street. The first round features timed sprints, with the fastest teams advancing into a tournament-style bracket, culminating in a championship showdown. Prizes are awarded for 1st Place (valued at $300) and Best Dressed Team. Team uniforms, slogans, and plenty of spirit are encouraged—participants will get wet, so come ready for speed, style, and laughs!

Teams will compete in the qualifying Time Trials. Fastest times will go on to the single elimination tournament where racers will go head to head to be named Grand Champion.

Register Here!

Vendor application below!