Melon Festival

News

• • Classic Car Show Added Sat. 4 to 7PM on State St.
  • 08/20/2010

  • Just announced:  The Melon Festival has added a classic car show on State Street, north of Grand River, on Saturday, from 4 to 7PM.   Please enter from Grand River to State Street!

• • Thompson Lake Cruise for all Volunteers!
  • 08/12/2010

  • 

    If you’re free for a few hours next weekend, so is this really cool T-shirt.

    Come join us as a volunteer at the Howell Melon Festival (Aug 20-22)!

     

    We’re out to make this year’s Melon Festival the best ever, and to do so we still need volunteers. If you have a little time to help, we’d love to have you on board. And hey – giving isn’t a one-way-street here in Howell! There’s something in it for you, too! Your volunteer perks include:

    • The uber-cool special, limited edition 50^th Melon Festival volunteer T-shirt
    • The deep feeling of satisfaction that comes with knowing you’ve helped your community - especially if you had fun doing it! And you will!!!
    • Special invitation to a River Boat Moonlight Cruise on Thompson Lake Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m
    • We have other stuff planned, but you have to attend a volunteer meeting on August 17^th to find out. You in?

    Volunteering is easy! Just DOWNLOAD your application and follow instructions to return to the Howell DDA.  But hurry! It’s almost showtime, and you’re up for a starring roll!

• • FREE Melon Festival Shuttle
  • 08/04/2010

  • The Howell Melon Festival has partnered with L.E.T.S. Transportation to provide a FREE shuttle route every 30 minutes to area parking lots during the Melon Festival.  Just park in one of five outlying parking lots located on the shuttle route map, and grab a FREE shuttle every 30 minutes, right downtown to the Melon Festival.  The L.E.T.S. shuttle will run continuously during the following hours:

    FRIDAY: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

    SATURDAY: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

    SUNDAY: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    NOTE: The last time noted for each day is LAST PICK-UP time.

    

    DOWNLOAD THE ABOVE SHUTTLE MAP HERE

• • Thompson Lake Melon Cruises Announced!
  • 07/30/2010

  • Join the Grand Princess River Boat on Thompson Lake for Lunch, Dinner and Moonlight Cruises! 

    

    

    Captain John will bring a 150 person capacity river boat to Thompson Lake during Melon Festival week, which will benefit the Humane Society of Livingston County and the Howell Melon Festival.

     

     

    Cruise information is as follows:

     

    Lunch Cruises - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Melon Festival

    Boarding: 11:30 a.m., cruising noon-1:30 p.m.

    Cost: $25.00/adult, $12.50/children 4-12

    Live musician and buffet included

    Dinner Cruises - Wed., Thurs., Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Melon Festival week

    Boarding: 6:00 p.m., cruising 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (except Friday during Melon Run, where times will be 5:00 boarding/5:30 to 8:30 p.m. cruise)

    Cost: $35.00/adults, $17.50/children 4-12

    Live musician and buffet included

    Moonlight Cruises - Friday and Saturday of Melon Festival week

    Boarding 9:00 p.m., cruising 9:30 to 11:00 p.m.

    Cost: $10.00/person (no children)

    DJ included

    FOLLOW THE LINK TO PURCHASE TICKETS!

    http://www.michiganprincess.com/schedule.asp

• • Beautiful Baby and Kute Kid Contest!
  • 07/26/2010

  • Melon Festival “savings” contest for beautiful babies and kute kids

    Organizers of the Melon Festival in downtown Howell are looking for the area’s most beautiful babies and kute kids. This year’s Melon Festival is August 20-22.

    Beautiful babies must be two and under, and all kute kids must be age three to five. An official contest registration form and photograph must be submitted for all children participating in the contest and can be found at http://www.howellmelonfestival.com/assets/Uploads/Beautiful-Baby-and-Kute-Kid-Contest-5.pdf. Registration deadline is Friday, August 6 at 3 p.m.

    Children registered in the contest will have their photos on display at Citizens Bank, 611 E. Grand River in Howell beginning August 9. One penny counts for one vote. Voting begins on August 10 and ends at noon on Saturday, August 21. Winners of the contest will be announced prior to the Livingston Sensation Finals at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 22 at the courthouse amphitheater.

    Prizes for first and second place boy and girl in each category are $100 and $50 savings bonds. The contest is sponsored by Citizens Bank. Last year, more than 100 adorable children entered the contest.

    Other attractions planned for 2010 include a Melon Ball, Michigan Made Arts & Crafts Show, diesel train rides, trolley tours and boat tours on Thompson Lake. Traditional favorites including Howell melons, melon ice cream and the Melon Run are once again part of the family fun.

    The City of Howell and the Howell Downtown Development Authority are partnering with civic groups and community leaders to present the Howell Melon Festival. For more information, visit www.howellmelonfestival.com.

• • The Festival Tent, a Sampling of Michigan Micro-Brews and Tastes
  • 07/16/2010

  • Taste different…taste local! Introducing The Festival Tent - A sampling of Michigan Micro-Brews and Tastes. For one package price you’ll enjoy tastings of Michigan-made micro-brews, mead (honey wine), and tastes from multiple Michigan food producers. You’ll also get a commemorative Melon Festival pint glass, and complimentary bottle of water! The tent will be open Saturday only, from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. on S. Walnut adjacent to the Opera House.  Tickets can be purchased online NOW.  BONUS: With your online ADVANCED ticket purchase, you get an extra micro-brew taste sample! 

    This event is sponsored by Lake Trust Credit Union, in partnership with the Opera House, Home of the Livingston Arts Council.

    

     

• • The Melon Festival goes GREEN!
  • 07/15/2010

  • Think twice this year before tossing your water bottle or pop can in the trash during Melon Festival!  The Howell Melon Festival has contracted with Schupan Recycling this year to bring green recycling containers on every street downtown.  Now you'll be able to recycle your #1 Plastic Containers and Aluminum cans in convenient containers, to be located adjacent to trash cans during the event. Also look for the large trailer on Clinton Street where you'll find it easy to recycle.

    

• • Howell Rotary to sell Melon Ice Cream
  • 07/15/2010

  • Pre-order the official Howell Melon Ice Cream today from the Howell Rotary Club.  Prepared fresh the week before the event, don't miss your chance to get some real Melon Ice Cream.  Download THIS form and send in today to reserve your Melon Ice Cream, or get to the Melon Ice Cream Booth on the Courthouse Lawn EARLY before it sells out!  Your pre-order of Melon Ice Cream may be picked up starting Friday, August 20th at Howell Village Market.

    DOWNLOAD MELON ICE CREAM PRE-ORDER FORM

    

• • Historic Trolley Tours Announced!
  • 07/15/2010

  • Get ready for the magic of a vintage Trolley ride! For the first time ever, the Howell Melon Festival, in partnership with the Howell Area Historical Society, offers you the experience and thrill of historic downtown Howell and surround neighborhoods from the open-air vantage point of a vintage rolling trolley! 45 minute tours will be offered every hour starting at 11am on both Saturday and Sunday during Melon Festival. All tours leave from the Historic Howell Depot at 128 Wetmore St. in Downtown Howell.  Seating is limited on the trolley, so PRE-ORDER your tickets today.  Click HERE to order tickets!

    

• • The Melon Ball - Kick off event for the 50th Melon Festival
  • 07/13/2010

  • Now’s your chance to get on the A-list for the first Melon Ball on Thursday, August 19 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the McPherson Mansion in Howell. The Melon Ball is the kick-off social event to the annual Melon Festival in downtown Howell.

     “The Melon Ball is a new attraction for community leaders and gets the Melon Festival started in style,” said Carol Stone, assistant city manager. “It’s a toast to our city and the Melon Festival.”

     Tickets are $30 in advance and include entertainment, food, commemorative flute and champagne. The Melon King and Queen will also be crowned at the Melon Ball. Tickets can be ordered online at www.howellmelonfestival.com/the-melon-ball/ or by calling 517.545.4240. Tickets purchased on the day of the event will be $35 each. The Melon Ball is sponsored by Hubbell, Roth and Clark, the Ballard Benefit Group, Steve and Patty Gronow and Roger and Kelly Myers.

    The Melon Festival is August 20-22 in downtown Howell. Attractions planned include arts & crafts, classic diesel train rides and trolley tours, an agritour of the Dinkleville melon farm, the famous Scottville Clown Band, and a Michigan Micro-Brew and tastes tent on S. Walnut by the Opera House. Traditional favorites including Howell melons, melon ice cream and the Melon Run are once again part of the family fun.  The 175^th anniversary of the City of Howell will also be celebrated during Melon Festival.

    The City of Howell and the Howell Main Street and Downtown Development Authority are partnering with civic groups and community leaders to present the Howell Melon Festival. For more information, visit www.howellmelonfestival.com.

• • Calling All Volunteers!
  • 07/01/2010

  • This year's 50th Anniversary Howell Melon Festival 2010 is going to be better than ever before............how would you like to share in the fun and support our community by volunteering? 

    We need your help on Thursday, August 19th; Friday, August 20th; Saturday, August 21st; or Sunday, August 22nd.   If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the volunteer application, which is available HERE and return it to the Howell Main Street/DDA Office at 122 State Street, downtown Howell, as soon as possible.  The Application may also be faxed to (517) 548-1068 or emailed to: tmularoni@ci.howell.mi.us.   

    If you have any questions, please contact Traci Mularoni, at 517.545.4240 ext. 2 or by sending an email to tmularoni@ci.howell.mi.us.

• • Melon Festival Fun Events
  • 07/01/2010

  • It’s time to make your bed for Melon Festival  

    The Melon Festival Committee invites you to make your bed for the first bed races at the event, August 20-22 in downtown Howell.

    Beds must have box springs and a mattress, four wheels and a five-member race team. The beds will be on display and teams will participate in a bed parade prior to the races at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 21. Awards will be given and participants are encouraged to park their beds for a pajama party and outdoor movie showing of “Bedtime Stories” at dusk on State Street.

     Ready to “toss out” another creative contraption?

    Last year’s catapult contest and melon toss returns.

    “Both the bed races and melon toss allow guests to be part of the action at the Melon Festival,” said Debbie Mikula, director, Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority.

    Last year, the melon toss made its debut at the event and visitors cheered on competitors aiming for the target and shooting for the longest throw.

    “The melon toss is similar to popular punkin chunkin contests,” said Mikula. “Teams will create their catapults before the event, have time to practice, then start tossing their melons toward a target 200 feet away.”

    Complete rules for the bed races and melon toss can be downloaded at www.howellmelonfestival.com.

    Other attractions planned for 2010 include a Melon Ball, Michigan Made Arts & Crafts Show, train rides and trolley tours. Traditional favorites including Howell melons, melon ice cream and the Melon Run are once again part of the family fun. 

    The City of Howell and the Howell Downtown Development Authority are partnering with civic groups and community leaders to present the Howell Melon Festival. For more information, visit www.howellmelonfestival.com.

• • Classic Diesel Train Rides
  • 06/21/2010

  • ‘All Aboard!’ The romance of the rails is calling during Howell Melon Festival.  Bring the entire family and climb aboard for a delightful old-fashioned train ride to historic Byron Station. Experience travel the way it used to be. You’ll depart from Howell’s celebrated Depot in vintage passenger cars pulled by a classic diesel locomotive for an hour-long journey through the scenic Michigan countryside, operating over the tracks of the Great Lakes Central Railway. Round trip tickets for Saturday and Sunday excursions are available through the Steam Railroad Institute at http://www.michigansteamtrain.com/tickets/. The first train departs from Howell at 10am each day.  Refreshments will be available on board the train.  Pre-sales of tickets have started, and will go fast, so order your tickets today!
    

    Go to:  The Steam Railroading Institute's webpage to order your tickets online today!

• • New Melon Festival Logo Unveiled
  • 03/29/2010

  • What’s old is new again. That popular saying might be the best way to describe the new Melon Festival logo. To help mark this milestone 50^th year, the logo has been developed using the basic design created by Dr. Pat May for the first Melon Festival.

    The logo incorporates the Howell melon and a directional sign pointing to the downtown event. It uses the downtown Howell logo. A traditional Howell green color is used and is complemented by melon-colored lettering and accents. The new logo was designed by Susan Pominville, Abovo Visual Communications.

    “We have taken the vintage signs and kept this festival homegrown. We are looking forward to keeping and creating family traditions and celebrating Howell,” said event chair Stephanie Schlittler.

    In addition to celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Melon Festival, the city is using the event to celebrate the 175^th year anniversary of the City of Howell.

    “Peanut Alley will be transformed into Anniversary Alley during Melon Festival weekend,” said Assistant City Manager Carol Stone.  “We’re working on a pictorial display of the people and events throughout Howell’s history.  Anniversary Alley will also feature an ‘old time’ photograph booth, vendors, commemorative merchandise.”

     Other new attractions are being planned including a Melon Ball, bed races and antique show. Visit www.howellmelonfestival.com for event updates.

     Melon Festival is an annual event in downtown Howell recognizing the legacy created by Dr. Pat May and the traditions established by the Howell Jaycees. The City of Howell and Howell Main Street/Downtown Development Authority are partnering with civic groups and community leaders to present the 2010 Howell Melon Festival. The event will feature Howell melons, melon ice cream, a Michigan Made Arts & Crafts show, Taste of Michigan Tent, local entertainment and family activities. For more information, visit www.howellmelonfestival.com.

• • Anniversary Alley and historic trolley tours announced.
  • 03/04/2010

  • In collaboration with the Howell Area Historical Society, come discover Howell history in Anniversary Alley – where Peanut Row alley will come alive with historic photos, memorabilia, and a celebration of the 175th year of the founding of the Howell community.

• • Bed Races announced for the 2010 Melon Festival
  • 12/31/1969

  • Get your team together, build a bed, and race it to get your chance for breakfast in bed, and an up-front spot to watch the Saturday Night movie on State Street. Download rules HERE. (link to Bed Race rules).

• • Michigan Made Arts & Crafts Show
  • 03/30/2010

  • New for the 2010 Melon Festival, a Michigan Made Arts & Crafts Show!

    Come and enjoy this juried fair in the Livingston County lot, directly north of Clinton Street and the Historic Livingston County Courthouse.
    

    Download a vendor application here.
    

• • Melon Festival celebrates 50th anniversary August 20-22 in Howell
  • 12/31/1969

  • What’s old is new again. That popular saying might be the best way to describe the new Melon Festival logo. To help mark this milestone 50th year, the logo has been developed using the basic design created by Dr. Pat May for the first Melon Festival.

    The logo incorporates the Howell melon and a directional sign pointing to the downtown event. It uses the downtown Howell logo. A traditional Howell green color is used and is complemented by melon-colored lettering and accents. The new logo was designed by Susan Pominville, Abovo Visual Communications.

    “We have taken the vintage signs and kept this festival homegrown. We are looking forward to keeping and creating family traditions and celebrating Howell,” said event chair Stephanie Schlittler.

    In addition to celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Melon Festival, the city is using the event to celebrate the 175th year anniversary of the City of Howell.

    “Peanut Alley will be transformed into Anniversary Alley during Melon Festival weekend,” said Assistant City Manager Carol Stone. “We’re working on a pictorial display of the people and events throughout Howell’s history. Anniversary Alley will also feature an ‘old time’ photograph booth, vendors, commemorative merchandise.”

    Other new attractions are being planned including a Melon Ball, bed races and antique show. Visit our schedule page for more information.

    Melon Festival is an annual event in downtown Howell recognizing the legacy created by Dr. Pat May and the traditions established by the Howell Jaycees. The City of Howell and the Howell Downtown Development Authority are partnering with civic groups and community leaders to present the 2010 Howell Melon Festival. The event will feature Howell melons, melon ice cream, local entertainment and family activities. F