The Irrigon Watermelon Festival will crescendo during its 40th-anniversary celebration with its first-ever fireworks show.
However, before the splendid sights and sounds soar above the Columbia River, a full day of activities — breakfast, vendor booths, games, a car show, stage entertainment, a beer garden and lots of watermelon — is featured on July 27 at Irrigon Marina Park, 430 NE Eighth St. The late Barb Huwe will be honored as grand marshal during the parade, which gets rolling at 10 a.m. at Stokes Landing Senior Center.
When the parade finishes at the marina park, the opening ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. with Calico Bones singing the national anthem. Music throughout the afternoon features The Wasteland Kings (1 p.m.); Estilo Diferente (3:45 p.m.); Randy Woody (5 p.m.); and Wade Aylett (6:30 p.m.). Committee member Charlene Cooley said the event winds down after the fireworks show.
“However, Wade said he will continue to play as long as people are there,” she said.
For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/3zMBtZX. For questions, contact irrigonwatermelonfestival@gmail.com or 541-571-8541.
