Summertime memories of childhood often include cool, crisp wedges of watermelon with juice running down your chin and a seed-spitting contest with cousins. It's the kind of whistful memories we all love. There's one town that grows the best melons, and you're going to want to visit their exciting watermelon festival in Oregon this summer.
The city of Hermiston has a population of just over 19,000 residents.
It is the largest in the eastern part of the Beaver State.
It might be large for this neck of the woods, but it still maintains a friendly, home-town vibe...
... with a charming downtown and plenty of rural farmland.
There's plenty to see and do in Hermiston.
Riverfront Park provides 16 acres of recreation that includes fishing, walking paths, a boat ramp, picnic areas, and playgrounds.
Do you like fast cars?
Then enjoy the thrills of stock car racing at Hermiston Raceway.
Hikers will be happy here too.
Hike to the top of Hermiston Butte for an incredible view of the city and Oregon countryside surrounding it.
Once summer months warm up...
... magic starts to happen in the fields and farms around Hermiston.
By July, this town turns into a watermelon wonderland.
And everyone knows watermelon is some of the best fresh fruit.
On a hot summer day, nothing will cool you down like a slice of juicy, sweet watermelon.
And the melons grown here are pure perfection.
They don't just keep these watermelons to themselves, either.
Farmers in Hermiston ship the fruits of their harvest all over the region. As a matter of fact, the watermelon here is so good that the city's official logo even incorporates the fruit!
As far as festivals go...
...the nearby small Oregon town of Irrigon hosts a watermelon festival every summer that includes a parade...
...family-friendly games...
...watermelon seed spitting contests...
...watermelon bowling...
...and, of course, plenty of watermelon from nearby growers around Hermiston.
This year's festival takes place on July 27, 2024. It is THE watermelon festival in Oregon. and one of the best summer festivals in Oregon!
For more information, be sure to check out the Irrigon Watermelon Festival Facebook page. You can also learn more about the town on the Hermiston website.
Have you tasted the delicious Hermiston watermelons or taken part in the annual Irrigon Watermelon Festival? Would you agree that this watermelon festival in Oregon is unbelievably awesome? What other foods remind you of summer in Oregon? What are some of your favorite summer festivals in Oregon? Which are your favorite small-town festivals in Oregon? Share your memories in the comments!
Thinking about taking an Oregon vacay soon? Then consider booking your flight via the Dollar Flight Club.
For those who love outdoor events, be sure to read about this magical hot air balloon glow:
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/oregon/festival-of-balloons-tigard-or/
If you’re still in the mood for more Beaver State adventures, take a look at this video about beautiful Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock:
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