Watermelon Festival

Celebrate Summer at the Watermelon Festival

FLORENCE, SC – It’s time once again to celebrate all things watermelon at this year’s Watermelon Festival at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market on June 27, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us for a delightful day celebrating sweet summer watermelons and featuring tasting events, exciting games, and activities for the whole family. This year, we are thrilled to welcome the 2025 SC Watermelon Queen, Gracen Vaughn, who will be making a special appearance at the festival.

As part of the festivities, the Palmetto Rural Fire Department will be offering fire truck tours and fun rides on The Little Red Fire Truck. This is an exciting opportunity for kids and adults alike to learn about fire safety and get up close with the heroes of our community! In addition to the watermelon festivities, attendees can enjoy delicious offerings from our food trucks and the market’s on-site restaurant, Aloha Kitchen, as well as our new restaurants, The Coffee Doc and Deli and The Oyster Bar.

The drive-thru market will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 27, offering a wide selection of fresh produce, plants, food, gifts, and local goods. Mark your calendars and bring your friends and family for a day filled with fun, learning, and community spirit at the Watermelon Festival!

The Pee Dee State Farmers Market is located at 2513 W. Lucas St. in Florence. Admission and parking are free. The market has complimentary electric vehicle charging stations. For more information, call 843-665-5154 or contact Market Manager Bob Sager at bsager@scda.sc.gov or Events Coordinator Mia Marshall at mmarshall@scda.sc.gov.

You can also visit agriculture.sc.gov/state-farmers-markets or find the market on Facebook at @PeeDeeFarmersMarket.

What: Watermelon Festival
When: June 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 2513 W Lucas Street, Florence, SC