Winston-Dillard Melon Festival Kicks Off Friday With Full Weekend of Events
The 56th Winston-Dillard Melon Festival runs Sept. 19–21 with parades, live music, contests, kids’ games, food, and more. Highlights include the parade Sept. 20 at 11 a.m., music from Strange Birds, Trip Wire, and Borrowed Time, plus the grand raffle on Sunday.
WINSTON, Ore. — The Winston-Dillard Melon Festival returns this weekend, bringing three days of family fun, contests, live music, and community tradition. The festival kicks off Friday, September 19, and continues through Sunday, September 21 at Riverbend Park in Winston.
Here’s the official schedule of events:
Friday, Sept. 19 (Noon–9 p.m.)
The festival opens with live music and family activities. Visitors can enjoy games, contests, and evening entertainment.
- 11:45 a.m. – Festival grounds open
- 12:00 p.m. – Music by Mark Baratta, Bingo opens
- 12:30 p.m. – Melon Eating Contest & Kids Games
- 1:00 p.m. – Kids Games
- 1:30 p.m. – Frozen T-Shirt Contest
- 2:30 p.m. – Root Beer Chug-a-Lug Contest
- 3:00 p.m. – Melon Eating Contest
- 6:00 p.m. – Music by Strange Birds
Saturday, Sept. 20 (10 a.m.–9 p.m.)
Saturday features the much-anticipated parade, local entertainment, and a full afternoon of contests and performances.
- 10:00 a.m. – Festival grounds open, Parade registration
- 11:00 a.m. – Parade down Main Street
- 12:00 p.m. – Parade awards, Bingo opens
- 12:15 p.m. – Entertainment: DC Cheer
- 12:30 p.m. – Mariachi presentation
- 2:00 p.m. – Talent Show “Winston’s Got Talent,” Mud Volleyball
- 3:00 p.m. – Melon Eating Contest
- 3:30 p.m. – Frozen T-Shirt Contest
- 4:00 p.m. – Men’s Knees Contest
- 4:30 p.m. – Kids Games, Scavenger Hunt
- 5:00 p.m. – Exploding Melon Contest
- 6:30 p.m. – Music by Trip Wire
Sunday, Sept. 21 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.)
The festival concludes with a community church service, more family contests, live music, and the grand raffle drawing.
- 10:00 a.m. – Church Service, Festival grounds open
- 12:00 p.m. – Bingo opens
- 12:30 p.m. – Music by Borrowed Time
- 1:30 p.m. – Melon Eating Contest
- 2:00 p.m. – Kids Games
- 2:30 p.m. – Root Beer Chug-a-Lug Contest
- 3:30 p.m. – Raffle (Grand prize: choice of a Remington 700 hunting rifle or Ruger model 10/22 rifle)
Family Fun All Weekend
In addition to the scheduled events, the festival will feature classic Heart Games, food vendors, community booths, and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend.
Organizers encourage everyone to come out and celebrate a tradition that has been bringing the community together since 1969.
Comments ()