What’s better than sinking your teeth into a big slice of juicy, cold watermelon on a summer day? How about that PLUS a parade, car show, live music and tons of free fun for families?! The 71st Annual McDade Watermelon Festival takes place on Saturday, July 13 when visitors from all over central Texas can come celebrate this delicious summertime fruit while enjoying small-town community spirit at its finest. The fun kicks off from 8 p.m. – midnight on Friday, July 12 at the big Street Dance in downtown McDade, TX (about 40 min. east of downtown Austin) with $5 entry. Then on Saturday, July 13, you’ll be able to head over to the Watermelon Festival Grounds for FREE admission and enjoy a car show, parade, music, BBQ, a water slide & games, a seed-spitting contest and much more!
Saturday morning kicks off at 7 a.m. at Uptown in the historical area for the watermelon weigh-in where locals compete for that prize melon status. Last year was a record-holder at a weigh-in of 188lbs!
Saturday is packed with free entertainment! Check out a car show from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., a Grand Parade at 10:30 a.m. and then the festival grounds open at 11 a.m. with vendors, live music under the pavilion, home cooked brisket, sausage & burgers, horseshoe & washer pitching tournaments under the large oak shade trees, bingo in the festival building, watermelon eating contest, seed spitting contest, a riding mower rodeo, a sandy play area, water misting stations to help stay cool, and more! After the Prize Melon Auction at 5 p.m. the event concludes with a free melon feast for all! Check out the full schedule below:
Friday, July 12:
- 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. – Street Dance with live music from Kenny Orts & No Chance Band
Saturday, July 13:
- 7-9 a.m. – Melon Weigh-in
- 8 a.m. – 11:30 am. – Car Show Registration (no fee)
- 9 a.m. – Breakfast Tacos, Arts & Crafts
- 10:30 a.m. – Grand Parade in Downtown McDade
- 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Entertainment
- 11:30 a.m. – Concessions open; Horseshoe Pitching Contest
- 12 p.m. – Bingo, Waterslide opens
- 2 p.m. – Seed-Spitting Contest
- 2:30 p.m. – Washer Pitching Contest
- 3 p.m. – Rider Mowing Rodeo
- 5 p.m. – Prize Melon Auction (and melon feast!)
The McDade Watermelon Festival is a charming escape from the hustle and bustle of busy city life. It’s a great place to relax with the family!
This festival is run by volunteers as a nonprofit organization that supports activities for community enrichment, including local teacher grants & scholarship opportunities. Your participation helps benefit the entire McDade community — and keeps this awesome summer tradition going! For more info, please visit www.McDadeTexas.com
