MURFREESBORO — The 33rd annual N.C. Watermelon Festival will run Wednesday through Aug. 4 in Historic Murfreesboro.

Along with the traditional agricultural parade, the festival will have fireworks, watermelon-eating and seed-spitting contests, Little Princess Contest, Little Mr. and Miss Farmer Contest, food fair, craft show, amusement rides and several innovative features.

In addition to the Watermelon Festival Market, the festival will feature a SUPER tent again this year. Merchandise in the SUPER tent includes Limited Edition Watermelon Festival peanuts, hand-painted watermelon merchandise, whole melons, retired Watermelon Festival T-shirts, homemade pickles and breads, local pottery, and other products. This year’s market has expanded and includes numerous first-time vendors — several with current fashion.

Patrick O’Brien, the “Fruit Carving Ninja,” will demonstrate his talents on Aug. 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. O’Brien travels around the country bringing his fruit and vegetable carvings to trade shows, special events, and culinary competitions. He will perform a longer demonstration at the Watermelon Festival on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. His demonstrations will take place in the Roanoke-Chowan Hospital Showplace Tent.

More information is available at www.ncwatermelonfest.com or by calling 252-398-7695.

Staff report