Carytown Watermelon Festival guide

The 28th annual Watermelon Festival is about to go down in Carytown this weekend. We have all the need-to-know info before you head out, include whether you need to bring an umbrella.

August 4, 2011; 6:00 AM • by RVANews staff

The 28th Annual Carytown Watermelon Festival is THIS Sunday, August 7 from 10am to 6pm. All of Richmond will be there (at least about 115,000 of them), and you should be too! Here’s what you need to know to make the most of it…

Weather

For many years, it seemed that the Watermelon Festival was on the hottest day EVER! This year, however, we have a party crasher…Tropical Storm Emily. Weather Dan says that temperatures are going to be relatively (operative word being relatively) mild for August (only about high 80’s to low 90’s degree-wise). The big question is whether the weather will give us rain, making the festival a bit wet.

Parking

Parking is available at the City stadium, just a couple blocks south of Cary Street. Street parking is also available in the surrounding areas, but please take care not to block residents’ driveways (they tend not to like that, from what we hear). When in doubt carpool, walk, or ride a bike.

Food

Watermelon stands are scattered (scroll down on the link) throughout the festival space, usually one on each block. It typically costs just a couple bucks for a gigantic slice. Several other food vendors (including some of your favorite Carytown restaurants) will also be setting up shop on the street should you be looking for a departure from Sunday’s celebratory fruit.

A few vendors will accept credit cards, but it’s best to bring cash.

Entertainment

There will be about 80 performers throughout the day.. Check out the festival map for where to find the variou stages (it’s a PDF, fyi).

Babies and Puppies

Children are welcome at this event — they’ve even got a huge kid zone planned. I smell a MOON BOUNCE.

Dogs (and I guess cats?) are also welcome, but please keep your pet on a leash and bring plastic bags so you can help keep our streets poop-free. We encourage you to dress all babies, kids, puppies, and dogs up like watermelons.

Have fun — hope to see you out there!

 

photo by mfrascella

August 4, 2011 6:00 AM 0