Watermelon Program Has A New Theme

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If you’ve ever used it to fan yourself at the Street Dance, flipped through it to double-check when the fireworks start, or bought an extra copy just to show someone your niece’s picture in the seed-spitting contest—then you already know all about the Watermelon Carnival Program.

It’s been around for decades and is part schedule, part scrapbook, part survival guide for anyone trying to navigate funnel cake lines in August heat. And this year, it’s had a bit of a refresh.

The 2025 edition arrives with a new theme: “From the Vine to the Valley.” That’s not just a catchy phrase—it’s a whole philosophy. It nods to our watermelon roots (yes, the real ones out in the dirt) and the community roots that pull us all together every summer.

This year’s program still tells you where to park your lawn chair and what time the Street Dance starts, but now, it does something new: it doubles as a full Water Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Directory. Because at some point, someone had the bright idea to ask, “Why can’t the Carnival Program be helpful after the fireworks are over?” And, just like that, we had ourselves a two-for-one.

Following the event listings and local ads, you’ll now find a guide to Chamber-member businesses, complete with hours, services, and contact information. Whether you’re looking for a florist, a mechanic, or someone who makes the kind of banana pudding that your grandmother made, chances are they’re listed here. It’s the Water Valley version of flipping to the back of the phone book—if you’re old enough to remember that—and realizing, “Oh, they do sell that here.”

Chamber Manager and master of cheerful efficiency, Zandra Walker, will be in touch with businesses about ads. She knows the deadlines, and how to make your business look good. She also knows where to find the strongest coffee, which is no coincidence. If you’re not sure where to begin, just ask Zandra. She’s got you.

Now, let’s talk about the ads. They’re what make this whole thing possible—literally. Every page, every schedule, every photo is paid for with local business support. If you’ve been placing an ad for years, we thank you. If you’re new to the fold, we thank you just as much. We couldn’t do it without you.

And speaking of fun, let’s talk about this year’s cover art. It started as a t-shirt design by Robby Ferguson—bright, playful, and about as Water Valley as you can get. We loved it so much, we decided it deserved triple duty. So now it’s not only on the official Carnival tee, it’s also our official poster and gracing the cover of this year’s program. So if you’re someone who has always wanted to coordinate your reading material with your wardrobe, you’re in luck

And if I may step aside for a personal moment: working on this project with Zandra Walker and Linda Mayor is a little like trying to keep up with a pair of hummingbirds. Zandra juggles it all—calls, emails, last-minute ad changes—with a kind of calm that feels like a superpower. Linda reads every word, checks every date, and makes sure nothing (and no one) falls through the cracks. I mostly try to keep my tea glass full and my typos few.

The truth is, this new format helps us do more of what the Chamber is meant to do: shine a light on the people who make this town work. It’s not just a Carnival program anymore—it’s a year-round tool. A reminder that behind every watermelon painted window, there’s someone running a business and helping Water Valley keep humming along.

It’s also our way of saying thanks. Thanks to the Chamber members who put up posters, donate door prizes, stay open late, and show up when it counts. It’s a printed “we appreciate you,” and we hope you feel that.
So when the 2025 Carnival Program lands in your hands—bright cover, shiny pages, and all—take a minute to flip through it. Find your favorite event. See what’s new. Maybe even circle something. And know that every bit of it was made with care, by and for the community it celebrates.

We’ll see you in the program—and, of course, at the Carnival.