41st Annual Winterville Watermelon Festival

Experience the sweet taste of summer in Winterville during this favorite eastern North Carolina tradition. The 41st annual festival brings four days of live entertainment, carnival rides, local shopping, food vendors and watermelon-inspired fun to town.

Stroll rows of craft and commercial booths, cheer on contestants in the crowd-favorite Watermelon Eating Contest and enjoy classic festival bites, from funnel cakes and turkey legs to refreshing watermelon treats. Families can ride carnival attractions, play games, enjoy a cruise-in car show and catch the Veterans’ Appreciation Parade, featuring community groups, local organizations and hometown pride on full display.

Music fills the weekend too, including the ticketed Watermelon Jam concert on Saturday with country acts Should’ve Been Cowboys, Colin Stough and headliner Easton Corbin.

Thursday, Aug. 27
6 p.m. — Free performances begin
6-8 p.m. — Cruise-in car show at the festival site on Division Street
6-10 p.m. — Amusement rides only, wristbands available for $25

Friday, Aug. 28
5-7 p.m. — Air-conditioned bingo at the Ruritan Building
6 p.m. — Opening ceremony by Winterville Chamber of Commerce and Winterville Town Council
6 p.m. — Amusement rides and vendors open
6:30 p.m. — Joe Brown Band

Saturday, Aug. 29
8 a.m. — Vendors and craft show open
8 a.m. — Veterans Breakfast
10 a.m. — Veterans Appreciation Parade, sponsored by Pitt Community College
11 a.m. — Amusement rides open
Noon — Watermelon Eating Contest at the Amphitheater Stage
5-7 p.m. — Air-conditioned bingo at the Ruritan Building

Paid concert: Watermelon Jam
5 p.m. — Concert gates and beer garden open
6 p.m. — Should’ve Been Cowboys
7:30 p.m. — Colin Stough
9 p.m. — Easton Corbin
10 p.m. — Beer garden closes

Sunday, Aug. 30
1 p.m. — Vendors and amusement rides open; wristbands available for $25
1 p.m. — Inflatable games