EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS
AROUND EASTERN OREGON
FESTIVALS
3
JULY 27�AUG. 3, 2022
Watermelon Festival a slice of community fun
By Erick Peterson
EO Media Group
IRRIGON — No matter how you slice it,
organizers are getting giddy as the 2022
Irrigon Watermelon Festival draws near.
Charlene Cooley, event program director,
said everyone is excited as the festival
prepares to celebrate its 38th year.
The all-day event is Saturday, July 30.
While the parade will wind through down-
town Irrigon, most of the activities take
place at Irrigon Marina Park, 430 Eighth
St. NE. The fun features everything from
a breakfast, games and live entertain-
ment to a car show, street dance and, of
course, watermelon.
Cooley said the festival focuses on a
similar theme each year — community.
Several local civic groups take part in
the event. Some of the town’s churches,
businesses and school organizations also
participate.
These groups, Cooley said, organize
games, food and entertainment for the
festival. Thanks to their eff orts, the festi-
val is a busy day of activities.
The festival gets to a sizzling start at
6:30 a.m. with a big breakfast at the park.
Also, the parade is an early highlight.
Beginning at 10 a.m., it runs through
Irrigon, going down Columbia Lane, North
First Street, Northeast Main Avenue, 12th
Street and ends at the entrance to the
park.
Local school cheerleaders, fi refi ght-
Irrigon Watermelon Festival/Contributed Photo
Residents show their watermelon spirit on July 27, 2019, during the Irrigon Watermelon
Festival parade. The 2022 event is Saturday, July 30, at Irrigon Marina Park.
ers, sheriff ’s deputies and other groups
are typically represented, Cooley said.
However, as a celebration of the town, the
parade features many participants. To join
in, parade registration starts at 8 a.m. at
Stokes Landing Senior Center, 195 Opal
Place.
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Majestic Pizza,
Wine & Beer Bottle Wonderland,
Dedicated Tap House,
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“Anyone who wants to be in the parade
is welcome,” Cooley said.
One special person is planning to
take the parade’s lead. Dirk Dirksen, who
recently retired as the Morrow County
School District’s superintendent, is the
grand marshal.
After the parade, the celebration con-
tinues at Irrigon Marina Park.
“We have lots of foods, local crafts,
vendors and more,” Cooley said.
The car show, children’s games,
boat rides, a lip-sync contest and more
provide fun for just about anyone, she
added. Also, a co-ed softball tournament
is hosted by the Friends of the Irrigon
Library.
The live entertainment cranks up at
noon with Zac Grooms. Olivia Harms will
take the stage at 4:30 p.m. and Sky Dogs
are performing, too.
A beer garden runs during the evening
entertainment. At 9 p.m., Desert Sounds
Entertainment illuminates a light show
and DJ performance.
Cooley said the watermelon festival is
the “one big event that Irrigon has.”
“People come home for it,” she said.
“It’s a celebration of community and
something that people look forward to,
remember and come back for.”
For more information, including a
full schedule, visit www.facebook.com/
irrigonwatermelonfestival.
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