Fleamasters Fleamarket is hosting their fourth annual Watermelon Festival to celebrate the local crop of watermelons with watermelon-themed activities, music and plenty of old-fashioned, family friendly entertainment in Ft. Myers, FL May 16, 17 and 18.
“We’re challenging folks to come out for the watermelon contests,” invites Linda Steele, marketing director. “There will be many chances to win.” For seed spitting and speed eating, medals, prizes and bragging rights will be awarded for each of three age groups: 10 and under, 11-16, 16 and over. If anyone breaks the seed-spitting world record of 68-feet, nine and ?-inches they will win $500 cash.
This year’s event kicks off with a hot Watermelon Salsa Dance Party, 7 to 10 p.m., Friday, May 16, in the Music Hall with live music from the 8-piece band, El Sonido Tropical, playing a mix of salsa, merengue, cumbia, songo, chacha, and Latin jazz. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased on the web at fleamall.com, or at the market. Proceeds will benefit the children’s programs of The Nations Association, a 501-c(3) charity.
Other entertainers performing over the three-day weekend include Just Country, Banyan Bluegrass, The Dixielanders, Austin James, and the Blue Dirt Dixie Band. Both the Calendar Girls and Hot Flashz Dancers will perform on stage. Children are welcome at the kid’s craft area, and will be entertained with free face painting, balloon animals, and the extraordinarily tall stilt walker Way Too Tall Torrie.
Fleamasters Fleamarket is open for shopping, food and fun 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. See the Watermelon Festival schedule and get more information on their website, fleamall.com, by emailing Bonnie@fleamall.com or calling 239-334-7001 ext. 200.