It’s Time To Decorate For The Carnival

WATER VALLEY – In preparation for the city’s 50th Watermelon Carnival this year on August 2-3, the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Watermelon Decorating Contest for all businesses.  Thousands of visitors will come to enjoy the festivities along with our local folks, and we hope to display our “Celebration of the Watermelon” throughout the town.

All business entries should be called in to the Chamber office at 473-1122 or emailed to  wvchamber@bellsouth.net  by Wednesday, July 10.  Businesses should be decorated by Friday, July 12.  There will be a first, second, and overall prize awarded.  

Prizes this year will involve Watermelon T-shirts, a Water Valley cap, and free admission to the Annual Music Festival on Thursday night, August 1. Also offered are tickets to the Taster’s Choice Barbecue competition where participants help choose the winner on August 3rd during the Carnival.  

The Water Valley Town and Country Garden Club sponsors the Annual Music Festival, a widely attended event that celebrated its 25th presentation in 2018.   The Memphis Barbecue Network-sanctioned BBQ Contest is in its 10th year at the Watermelon Carnival and involves at least 25 barbecue teams.  The Taster’s Choice Award winner receives a cash prize of $1,500.00.  

The first place watermelon decorations winner will receive one ticket to the Taster’s Choice Barbecue event and a single T-shirt of their choice, and the second place winner will receive a single T-shirt of their choice.  The overall prize winner will receive one Taster’s Choice Barbecue ticket, one ticket to the Music Festival, one T-shirt of their choice, and one cap.  

Photos and announcement of the winners will be published in the August 1st issue of the North Mississippi Herald the week of the 50th Watermelon Carnival.