The Milan Melon Festival has been going strong in the Village Square of Milan, Ohio for over 50 years. Tens of thousands of people have enjoyed this wholesome, family friendly event every Labor Day weekend, down through the generations.
The Festival has midway rides, food and arts & crafts concessions, many fun events and even a 5K race. The most famous part though, is the Muskmelon (Cantaloupe) Ice Cream and Watermelon Sherbet! Lovers of this luscious treat come every year just to enjoy a double scoop in a cone or a melon half!
Festivities start bright and early on Saturday at 8am with the St. Anthony’s pancake breakfast, which runs through noon. The festival officially opens at 10am with a chalk drawing contest for the kiddos, beginning a full weekend! from 11am through 4:30, you can find Beautiful Baby, Watermelon, and Basketball Free-throw contests, a Big Wheel race and Melon Bowling! At 5:30, the Melon Queen contest, sponsored by the American Legion) commences, followed by concerts until the close at 11pm.
On Sunday, at 11am, the festival opens again with the Firemen’s Chicken Barbecue and a concert from “Minor Adjustments”. Eat and enjoy the music until 2pm, when the Grand Parade makes it way through. This parade draws up to 100,000 visitors to line the streets of Milan every year! At 4:45, there will be a milk shake contest, followed by Big Agnes and Night Prowler on stage until 11pm.
Monday morning starts early! The 5K and Fun Run registration starts. At 8:30, the Fun Run begins, along with registration for the Cornhole Tournament. At 9, the 5K takes off and at 10am, the festival officially opens for Kids Day! Home Depot is sponsoring a Craft Tent from 10-Noon, and there will be a Pedal Pull and a Sport-a-Thon, as well as several concerts. At 6pm, the fun draws to a close until 2015.
Stay with us at Angel Welcome Bed & Breakfast for the weekend and don’t miss a minute of the festivities!