McDade Watermelon Festival

05/29/2026

🍉 Planting seeds for 2026—our first batch of festival merch has arrived.

05/28/2026

Its coming up quickly! We have more room this year and hopefully more prize money coming! New this year Dessert competition and Friday night dance on the grounds! Teams get two free tickets and can purchase extras ahead for a discounted rate.

Get information here: https://www.mcdadetexas.com/bbq-cook-off.html
and Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemgd8bFyUQKGUzq9hahLQgKu13J-VY0_Vzc_85-vrmobWwMA/viewform

05/25/2026

Visit our website to submit your vendor application today! Spots are filling up fast! This year we have two bands playing on the grounds Friday night and vendors are welcome both Friday and Saturday! Visit www.mcdadetx.com/vendors.html for more info!

05/19/2026

Meeting tonight at 7pm on the Festival grounds!

05/15/2026

We are excited to have the McDade Watermelon Festival BBQ Cookoff as part of our festival! If you haven't liked their page yet go check it out!

We now have two presenting sponsors!!! Shout out to Tumlinson Electric LLC and Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 286!!! Both of them making our local development possible and driving our local economy!

04/28/2026

McDade Watermelon Festival meeting tonight at 7pm on the grounds!

04/08/2026

Calling all runners! 🏃

Don't miss out on a fun 5k race right here in McDade! 🏃

Whether you want to walk and have fun with friends or push yourself to get a medal, all ages and stages are welcome to register!

Sunday, April 26th. Race starts at 10am.

21+ runners get a free glass of wine (or beer) after their race. We have a full service winery, brewery, and restaurant and we will have live music after the race so plan to hang out a while and "recover" 😉

After you run you'll get a t-shirt, a medal, a commemorative cup, and your glass of wine after the race.
Click on the link below to register today!

https://raceroster.com/events/2026/116242/rising-sun-wine-and-win-5k

03/27/2026

🍉🎉 Calling All Vendors! 🎉🍉

The McDade Watermelon Festival is gearing up for 2026, and vendor applications are officially OPEN!

This is your chance to be part of one of the sweetest and most fun-filled weekends around. We’re excited to announce that vendors will be able to sell Friday night AND all day Saturday—giving you even more time to connect with the community and showcase your products!

✨ Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!
👉 Head over to www.mcdadetexas.com for more information and to apply.

Tag a vendor who needs to be there! 🍉💚

Watermelon Festival Family Fun - activities for all. Always the 2nd Saturday in July! Watermelon Eating contest, Car Show, Parade, Vendors, Live Music, Food & Drink, Live Watermelon Auction, 5K, BBQ Cook-Off, Riding Mower Rodeo and so much more!

03/24/2026

McDade Festival meeting tonight on the grounds! Come plan with us! 🍉

03/06/2026

Friday Night Dance at the Grounds-Continuing a Cherished Tradition~
This year, we are proud to continue the beloved tradition of our Friday night dance, but with some exciting improvements designed to make the experience even more memorable for everyone involved.
A Picturesque New Location~
The dance will now be held on our festival grounds, nestled under the shade of our historic oak trees that have stood for over a century. The dance floor will be set up beneath our pavilion—a place that has hosted countless Queens reviews and community events for generations. This unique setting promises both comfort and nostalgia for our guests.
Live Music Performances~
We are thrilled to announce that this year’s dance will feature not one, but two live bands on Friday evening. The festivities will begin with a performance by local favorite Wyatt Ellis, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. Later in the evening, the always popular Texas Unlimited Band (TUB) will take the stage as our main act, ensuring the celebration continues well into the night.
Stay Tuned for More Details~
As the event approaches, we will be sharing more details about the Friday night dance and all the excitement in store. We hope you are just as excited as we are to celebrate together!