The 25th annual Shelby County What-A-Melon Festival, sponsored by the Center Rotary Club began is officially underway as "cutting of the melon" took place yesterday.

 

The festival gates open at 3 p.m. this afternoon, with sign up of for the pet show at 5:30, and the Darrin Morris Band from Longview will play at 7 o'clock.

 

There's a full schedule of events planned for Saturday, beginning with the What-A-Melon Crawl 5K Run and Walk at 7 a.m. It's not too late to sign up, just be at the registration table before events start.

 

J.J. Ford is Rotary Club president, and says money raised from the What-A-Melon Crawl goes to local scouting.

 

In addition, the Shelby County Cruisers' Car Show is from 9 to 11 Saturday morning, with carnival rides opening at 3, followed by the seed spitting and speed eating at 4 p.m. 

 

The highlight event of the festival is the What-A-Melon weigh-in at 5. Festival chairman is Thomas Morrison. He says this year's crop looks pretty good.

 

Morrison says some 20 melons are expected for the weigh-in. Last year's winner tipped the scales at 163 pounds.

 

The What-A-Melon Pageant is at 6 o'clock Saturday, and Johnson’s Lost Crows from Shelbyville will take to the stage at 8.

 

Admission to the What-A-Melon Festival is a one-time fee of $4 for a button, and free for kids 5 and under.

 

Also, the carnival armbands are $20 for all-u-can ride again tonight and Saturday night from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.