NEWS

58th Annual Howell Melon Festival begins Friday

Livingston Daily

Livingston County’s biggest agriculture festival, the Howell Melon Festival, which begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, is a 58-year community tradition and home to a multitude of events and entertainment such as the Annual Howell Melon Run, live music, food, and more.

A traditional event at the Howell Melon Festival is the Melon Roll ages 2-5and begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17

Hours of operation are Friday, Aug. 17, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 18, - 9 a.m.-midnight; and Sunday, Aug. 19, 9 a.m-5 p.m.

Considered one of the festival’s premier activities is the 41st Annual Howell Melon Run, which begins at 6 p.m. on Friday with children’s activities.

Included is the Melon Roll, Tot Trot, Mascot Dash, One Mile Fun Run, 5K, and 10K. The course is certified by USA Track & Field.

Taking place at the corner of State and Clinton streets, the Melon Roll for ages 2-5 begins at 6 p.m.; the Tot Trot for ages 3-8 will be at 6:15 p.m.; the Mascot Dash at 6:30 p.m.; the 1 Mile Fun Run at 6:45 p.m. and the Melon Run 5K/10K at 7 p.m.

The scenic run/walks winds through residential streets, historic Lakeview Cemetery, and Howell City Park.

The festival’s signature treat, melon ice cream, created by festival founders and the Michigan State Dairy, is a fan-favorite.

The race starts and finishes in downtown Howell. On-site registrations, awards, and refreshments will all take place on State Street.

After all the race festivities, head on over to the festival tent to enjoy local brews from Aberrant Ales and Eternity Brewing, local wines from Howell’s own Mainstreet Winery, and a free acoustic concert by Empty Canvas where two performers will serenade festival goers while creating a painting of the downtown.

There’s also an inflatable Kids Carnival at the Youth Center, The Hive! No evening at the Howell Melon Festival is complete without trying the Melon Ice Cream at the Historic Howell Courthouse. This signature festival treat, created by festival founders and the Michigan State Dairy, is a fan-favorite and sells out every year.

The front lawn of the historic Livingston County Courthouse is the site of many act ivies for the Howell Melon Festival, which begins at 5 p.m. on Friday and runs through 5 p.m. Sunday.

Saturday morning, the festival starts with the 10th Annual Doc May Memorial Melon Ride, a 15 mile bike ride through Howell’s historic neighborhoods and our way of honoring festival founder Dr. Pat May. Throughout the day, there will be performances by the Ultimate Air Dog Canine athletes and Animal Magic show as well as arts and crafts vendors, food, an inflatable kids carnival and more.

Also featured will be a ride on a historic steam engine as the Pere Marquette 1225 (the locomotive that inspired the Polar Express) returns for another year of festival fun at the Historic Howell Train Depot.

The Howell Historical Society’s classic car show will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. outside the Howell Theatre. Artists of all ages will be excited to be a part of some great local art in our chalk art contest. Participants can purchase an 8x8 square of pavement to create their chalk masterpiece on which will be available for viewing all day (weather depending).

That evening, the competition will be judged and the top three winners will receive cash prizes for their art. Finally, the mainstage act, The Drew Hale Band, kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday night at the Festival Mainstage. The Drew Hale Band’s music pays homage to the red dirt country and southern rock scenes, as well as paints a picture of their love for the people and culture of Michigan, where the band calls home. After their set, the festival tent will be the scene of an acoustic concert by musician Matt Gabriel.

On Sunday there will be more showtimes of the Ultimate Air Dogs. The Howell Farmers Market kicks off at 9 a.m. and is a great place to get locally farmed produce of all kinds including the festival namesake – the Howell Melon. This hybrid canteloupe is a sweet treat that simply must be tried.

At 1 p.m. will be a trip back to the old days of the soda shops during “Floatin’ Down Grand River” at the festival tent where old fashioned root beer floats will be sold in souvenir cups.

Need to cool off ? At water wars, two people can square off and use giant slingshots to fling water balloons at each other. Man’s best friend can get a chance to cool their paws at the Doggie Cooling station on W. Grand River near the Howell Carnegie Library.

For a full list of activities, entertainment and more visit www.howellmelonfestival.com