It’s the granddaddy of all events in the Roanoke-Chowan area.

Next week (Wednesday, July 31 through Saturday, Aug. 3), Murfreesboro will roll out the proverbial red carpet (it may even be green) for the 34th annual North Carolina Watermelon Festival.

The area’s champion festival – attracting tens of thousands individuals each year – features events for all ages. Before its conclusion, families will have eaten heartily, played enough games to satisfy even the kids, and enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

As Watermelon Festival has grown in attendance over the years, it has also expanded its offerings each year, thus making it one of the few events in the region that can truly boast “bigger and better” each year.

During each night of the Festival, local clubs and organizations make sure that people will not leave hungry. On Wednesday (4:30-7 p.m.), the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce will serve up a steamed shrimp dinner. The Murfreesboro Rotary Club will host a BBQ ribs dinner on Thursday (4:30-7 p.m.) followed by a pork barbecue and fried chicken meal on Friday (4:30-7 p.m.) that serves as a fundraiser for the Jefcoat Museum. There’s even a pancake breakfast served on Saturday (7-9:45 a.m.) at Murfreesboro Baptist Church.

If a “plate” meal isn’t for you, then be sure to visit one of the many food vendors located on the Festival’s grounds that will be open during all four days. Or you can choose from among the many outstanding restaurants located in downtown Murfreesboro….all within walking distance of the Melon Fest.

All that food will serve as the fuel for folks to burn while they shop among the numerous booths set up within the Festival’s Arts and Crafts Court, as well as for the plethora of carnival rides, amusements, and games.

And for music lovers, the Festival features nightly bands: The Main Event Band on Thursday; Mickele Buck Band on Friday; the USO Show Troupe from New York City on Friday; and the Pizazz Band on Saturday. Each will crank up the music at 7:30 p.m. from the Broad Street stage, and there’s plenty of room for dancing.

And, of course, there will be plenty of watermelon. Slices will be given away during the festival. There’s also contests for watermelon seed spitting and eating; Little Mr. and Miss Farmer, and be sure to check out to see which little girl walks away with the converted annual title of Watermelon Princess.

The North Carolina Watermelon Festival truly is one of the gems of northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia.

We encourage everyone to take the time out to enjoy this annual rite of summer. You’ll be glad you did.

– The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald