Carytown Watermelon Festival (And Tips to Avoid a Meltdown)

Watermelon festival 2014 It’s the 31st annual Watermelon Festival y’all!

And while it may always feel like it’s on the hottest day of the year (that’s what happens when you have a festival in August) it’s worth it for some absolutely mouth-watering watermelon (over 3000 watermelons actually), lots of vendors and entertainment and some really great deals from local businesses.

The Carytown Watermelon Festival has become the largest one day festival in the state of Virginia -and with all the festivals that happen in Richmond that’s pretty impressive. The Watermelon festival also boasts one of the largest kids areas of any festival on the east coast which is located in the Cary Court area. This year they’ve expanded the Toyota KidsZone and with more bouncies, games, mazes other kid-focused diversions.

Here are some tips for not having a meltdown at the Watermelon Festival this year:

-Bring water.
Water will be available but it’s gonna cost you. Bring a bottle with you.

-Carry a couple of 1’s and 5’s
Watermelon is just a buck at the festival so you’re going to need a few… Washingtons.
Many other vendors are able to process credit cards but don’t count on it. If you plan on taking advantage of some really great deals you might want to bring a little extra cash.

-Put your patient pants on.
Parking. It’s gonna be awful. Just know that going into it.
According to the Carytown website: There are decks on the side streets that you may have access to as well as adjacent neighborhood parking and parking at UR Stadium. In addition, there are some additional store lots that may let you park. Please don’t park in the middle of the neighborhood streets and observe normal no parking signs, etc. You will get a ticket.

-Walking shoes.
Leave the platforms at home. Flip flops too.

-Go before or after naptime… not during.
Watermelon Festival opens for business at 10am. If you want to get great deals plan on hitting it right away and catch sale items before they’re picked over.
If you want to hit the last hour or two you can guarantee a good night’s sleep for the kids and be able to have a slightly cooler experience. You might be able to score some great last minute deals and parking will be much easier. Be prepared for sold out signs when it comes to watermelon.

-Sunscreen, seriously.
Even on a cloudy day, walking around the festival will give you a pretty gnarly burn. Slather it on before you even get there, you may want a hat too.

~~-Nursing moms, there’s a spot for you.~~
If you need to sit and nurse your baby, Richmond Doulas and The Healthy Birth, LLC have set up a spot for moms to take a load off and nurse hungry babies (it can be hard to find a seat at a festival) 104 S. Colonial Ave., on the corner next to Dixie Donuts. CANCELLED

Last but not least, please be courteous of local businesses. Many storefronts will be closed but some will also be open with special sales and deals just for the festival. Please try not to use the stores for their air conditioning, bring watermelon bowls in or to loiter inside. Just a reminder that the employees are at work and overcrowded stores makes it difficult for many stores to run their business.