MURFREESBORO – The annual salute to the state’s most juiciest of fruits is right around the corner.

The 21st annual North Carolina Watermelon Festival in Historic Murfreesboro is scheduled August 2 -5. This year’s theme will be a celebration of music with Randy Parton as the festival’s special guest.

Parton, the brother of country music legend Dolly Parton, is currently involved in the Carolina Crossroads project in Roanoke Rapids. That music and entertainment district will feature dinner theatres, hotels, shopping, theme parks and much more.

Once in Murfreesboro, Parton will learn what Watermelon Festival patrons have known all along n this event is wildly popular and always features a variety of entertainment, arts and crafts, great food and a carnival atmosphere with rides and games. What makes it all work is the true Southern hospitality shown by the festival volunteers along with the citizens of Murfreesboro and Hertford County.

Special festival events for 2006 include a narrated musical revue sponsored by Chowan University and a 5K race and walk, sponsored by Murfreesboro Rotary Club and Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center.

A large antiques/collectibles/crafts fair, a fantastic variety of food, amusements rides, street dances each night, free watermelon slices and watermelon games round out the activities.

Highlighting the festival is North Carolina’s largest agricultural parade that will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 5 in downtown Murfreesboro.

In addition, the festival’s largest fireworks show in its history will take place at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, August 5.

Featured bands for the 2006 festival are:

August 2 – Jay Jenkins, Shaggin’ on the Beach and Craig Woolard.

August 3 – Malpass Fami, Hank William Tribute.

August

– Johnny Dollar.

August 5 – Spare Change.

The festival and nightly street dances will be held in the Murfreesboro Historic District, one block north of Main Street.

For information on any of the activities contact Kay Mitchell at (252) 398-5922; email: ncheritage@earthlink.net, www.murfreesboronc.com.

The North Carolina Watermelon Festival

P.O. Box 3

Murfreesboro, N. C. 27855