Plans underway for first watermelon, gospel music fest

CHARLESTON, Mo. — The inaugural Watermelon and Gospel Music Festival in Charleston will take place at the end of this month.

Set for July 28-29, at 303 S. Sixth St., commonly known as the Knights of Columbus property, on East Marshall, between Fifth and Sixth streets, the festivities begin with a parade at 6 p.m. Friday, July 28. The parade has a theme of “watermelons,” and youngsters are urged to dress up in summer-like costumes, ideally in watermelon color combinations.

Mike Mueller, the event’s director, said there will be a few floats in the parade — all with watermelon and summer themes — and music for the participants to dance to led by DJ Tony Jones, who will inspire the kids with his knack for engaging kids to move.

Mueller, who is also the director of Day 3 Seeds and Mueller’s Greenhouses, said refreshments will be provided after the march concludes in the Big Tent.

The Knights of Columbus in Charleston will prepare a fish fry, and there will be plenty of sliced melon and other foods to eat, according to Mueller.

Mueller went on to talk about what Saturday will be like at the event. 

“Saturday morning begins with watermelon games, seed spitting, slice eating and watermelon rolling,” Mueller said. 

According to Mueller, there will also be other games and activities.

 “There will be a dunk tank, bouncy house, slushie maker, snow cones, caricatures, burgers and hot dogs, little princesses, and other family-friendly things to see and do,” he said. 

Mueller added there will be a noon meal with barbecue pork and ribs prepared by Day 3 Seeds and that, of course, tasting some delectable watermelons will be a part of the event. 

Mueller said the purpose of the event was to promote two very enjoyable things in the region: the summer flavor of tasty watermelons and the soul-lifting songs of gospel singers

“This event is a first-time effort, remembering events of many years gone by, and the sole purpose of the event is to bring the community together, especially the kids and their families, with a venue designed to be fun, safe and affordable,” he said.

Mueller said memories from the past would be presented throughout the day on Saturday and into the late hours, illuminating all of the reasons to remember watermelons and gospel music as vital to the region’s history.

Mueller confirmed that the gospel music segment will begin at 2 p.m. and go until 7 p.m.with eight different groups and performers. 

“It will be quite the experience, filled with spiritual feelings toward our Lord and Creator,” Mueller said. 

Mueller added they are looking forward to the special guest performances and are thrilled with them. 

Gage Boys and For Heaven’s Sake, two Kentucky bands, will perform. Martha Wilson, Lillie B. Smith and Patricia Lampkin are among the local artists. Charleston United Methodist Church will perform many unique songs with their praise team as well as a church dance team.

“In addition, our Master of Ceremonies, Mitch Pullen, will sing a few and lead us in some group singing, making it all very special hours of lifting God in honor and praise,” Mueller said. 

Mueller said the region has been populated since the early 1800s and that since the post-Civil War era, watermelons have been an important crop farmed on as many as 5,000 acres each year by many of the region’s family farms. 

Mueller said the various church denominations were present in the region’s early churches, including Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, African Free Methodist, Church of God, and Missionary Baptist, and that gospel music was essential to many of them.

“Remembering and honoring our ancestors is an important lesson to share with our children,” Mueller said. 

According to Mueller, the year 1936 was a highly unique year in Charleston.

“It was the 100th anniversary year of the town’s establishment, and that year, they held a watermelon festival,” Mueller said. “We shall be reminiscing about 1936, with many stories from old paper articles and stories from books.”

Mueller said the best way for people to support this event is by attending it.

 “Attend, purchase a meal or two, and plan to attend with family,” he said. “Get a family packet of tickets.” 

Mueller said family packet of tickets costs $25. A family will receive 25 $1-tickets, which can be utilized for $1-activities. 

Mueller added that although certain programs would be free, others would have administrative costs and would collect a small fee to cover those costs. Each Family Pack purchase includes a coupon for a free watermelon, which may be used in advance or on the day of the event. 

Mueller said the website contains an extensive listing of the events scheduled for that weekend as well as the hours of operation for each activity.

Mueller added that the weekend’s two main meals, fish fry and barbecue ribs, may be ordered ahead of time. Tickets are $15 per plate and may be purchased on the website, 303events.net.

Mueller said the cost of the event as funded by Day 3 Seeds will be reimbursed and that the remaining net revenues will be utilized for local children’s activities, particularly those of Day 3 Seeds efforts in collaboration with 4-H, the Ministerial Alliance and local schools.