Attendees at the inaugural Melon Fest sampled produce, participated in spitting contests and more.After over 500 people attended last year’s Melon Fest, farmers at the Ooltewah Farmers Market are aiming to be more prepared for this year’s anticipated audience.
“Our farmers have been growing [melons] all year waiting for this,” said Ooltewah Nursery Marketing Director Angel Miller. “Each one is growing a different variety those you haven’t seen before or haven’t in a long time.”
The free annual event, set for Thursday, Aug. 17, features heirloom melon varieties from area farmers, seed spitting contests for adults and children, line dancing (the watermelon crawl, of course) and more. Miller encourages attendees to come in costume.
Though last year’s record-high number of attendees was unexpected, this year the market and nursery are prepared, she said.
In addition to the melons themselves, the market will feature jams, ice cream and other goods, as well as the opportunity to talk to farmers about the different varieties of melons.