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MURFREESBORO – As the calendar flips from July to August, the time has arrived to celebrate summer’s official fruit – watermelon.

The 39^th annual North Carolina Watermelon Festival opens at 6 p.m. on Wednesday (July 31) in downtown Murfreesboro. The four-day festival runs through Saturday (Aug. 3).

The Food Court and the midway area – featuring Brinkley Entertainment Amusement Rides – will open at 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. It’s “Family Night” on the midway on those days where unlimited rides are available for $30 per person.

The amusement rides this year include Tempest, Ferris Wheel, Hog Drop, Motorcycle (kiddy ride), Car Combo, Swings, Berry Go Round, Circus Trail, Scrambler, Dragon Wagon, Super Slide, Super Trucks, and Merry Go Round.

The featured band on Wednesday is The Band of Oz. They will perform on the Broad Street stage beginning at 7 p.m. Local radio personality Jay Jenkins will emcee the event.

Thursday’s featured music will be provided by the Tim Clark Band beginning at 7 p.m.

On Friday, the Festival Market (featuring a wide variety of arts, crafts, etc.) and the Food Court opens at 12 noon. Amusement rides open at 6 p.m. followed one hour later by The Wannabees on the Broad Street stage.

Saturday is the festival’s busiest day. It begins at 10 a.m. with the annual Watermelon Festival Parade, hosted by the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce, on Main Street followed by an opening ceremony at 11 a.m. on the festival grounds. The amusement rides also open at 11 a.m.

The annual Little Miss Princess contest begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Little Mr. Farmer and Little Miss Farmer contests at 11:45 a.m.

The Southern Misfits perform at 1 p.m.

The popular Watermelon Eating and Seed Spitting contests will be held at 2:30 p.m. on the street adjacent to the festival’s information tent.

Sophie Taylor performs at 3 p.m. followed by Vintage Cross at 5 p.m.

The Pizazz Band, featuring Kent Zimmerman, will provide the music on the Broad Street stage at 7 p.m.

A fireworks show is scheduled for approximately 9:15 p.m.

The festival closes at 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Admission is free on Thursday and Friday as well as before 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. After 4 p.m. on those two days, admission is $5 for adults (ages 18-and-up). Children are admitted free.