Watermelon, Family and Small-Town Hospitality: Mize Festival Celebrates 48 Years of Tradition
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By Cheryl Owens
Mississippi Spirit
There are some places that just seem to slow life down for a little while. Where strangers wave, children laugh with sticky watermelon juice running down their chins, and neighbors work side by side to welcome thousands of visitors as if they were family.
That’s exactly what people will find July 17-18 when the Mississippi Watermelon Festival returns to downtown Mize for its 48th year.
What began as a small celebration in 1978 has grown into one of Mississippi’s favorite summer traditions, drawing about 5,000 visitors each year for two days filled with music, family activities, contests, food and, of course, plenty of watermelon.
“The Mississippi Watermelon Festival is about fun, family and watermelon,” said Terresa Stewart, assistant fire chief with the Mize Volunteer Fire Department and director of the Mississippi Watermelon Festival. “All while supporting the Mize Volunteer Fire Department.”
The festival was originally started by the Mississippi Watermelon Growers Association. In those early years, members of the Mize Volunteer Fire Department cooked the food. After several years, the watermelon growers stepped away, and the festival became the volunteer fire department’s largest annual fundraiser.
Nearly five decades later, Stewart credits the festival’s longevity to “hard work, dedication and a belief in what we are bringing to our community.”
She believes the festival stands apart because it remains completely volunteer operated.
“We are all volunteer staffed. We celebrate watermelon, and we are a family event,” Stewart said.
Visitors can expect two full days packed with entertainment and activities. Highlights include a Jeep Show, Car Show, 5K Run/Walk, live bands, local entertainment and the always-popular watermelon games, including watermelon eating and seed-spitting contests. Families will also find a children’s activity area throughout the weekend.
One special addition this year will be the dedication of a monument honoring members of the Mize Volunteer Fire Department who have passed away.
Music is always a big draw, and this year’s featured concert will include a performance by Frank Foster, along with local entertainers performing throughout the weekend.
No Mississippi Watermelon Festival would be complete without free watermelon.
Each year, volunteers slice and serve approximately 200 Smith County watermelons, generously provided by Powell Family Farms. Rather than chilling the melons, volunteers keep them shaded and cut only a few at a time to ensure they stay fresh.
Those who want to compete can enter several watermelon contests during the festival. Entry times will be announced throughout the day, and anyone bringing a giant watermelon simply needs to notify the gate crew upon arrival.
While many of the contests are fun, the real purpose behind the festival is serious.
“It is our major source of funds for the needs of the fire department,” Stewart said.
The Mize Volunteer Fire Department receives limited funding from the town, making the festival essential to purchasing everything from turnout gear and radios to truck equipment, bottled water, paper products and firefighter training.
Putting together an event of this size requires about 30 to 40 volunteers during festival weekend, many of whom are entire families who have worked together for years.
“We begin preparing for the next year’s festival almost immediately after the current one ends,” Stewart said.
Some volunteers have been involved since the festival’s earliest days, including longtime food directors who were among the original watermelon growers that helped organize the first festival.
Beyond supporting the fire department, Stewart said the festival provides an opportunity to showcase Mize and its businesses.
“It is a chance for our community to show visitors what we have and who we are,” she said.
Visitors travel from throughout Mississippi and neighboring states, with vendors also coming from across the region.
Along with plenty of watermelon, festival-goers can enjoy favorite fair foods, including funnel cakes, fresh lemonade, barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream while browsing a wide variety of food and merchandise vendors.
For first-time visitors, Stewart has simple advice.
“Bring your patience, your sunscreen, wear comfortable shoes and eat watermelon.”
Festival gates open Friday, July 17, at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 18, at 8:30 a.m., with activities continuing until approximately 9 p.m. each evening.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 10 and under on Friday. Saturday admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. A new two-day pass is available for $20 when purchased at the gate on Friday. Outside coolers and pets are not permitted.
When asked what she hopes visitors remember most after leaving Mize, Stewart didn’t hesitate.
“I hope they remember a great time in a small town,” she said. “I hope they remember being welcomed by people that are glad to see them and truly want them to enjoy their visit. I hope they remember good watermelon, good friends, laughs and fun. I hope they remember good music, good food and already making plans to be back next year.”
For more information about the Mississippi Watermelon Festival, visit mswatermelonfestival.com or follow the festival on Facebook.
