Want to go?
WHAT: 54th Annual Milan Melon Festival
WHEN: 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, September 1; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday, September 2 & 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, September 3
WHERE: Milan Village Square, Church and S. Main Sts., Milan
COST: Free
INFO: www.milanmelonfestival.org
The 54th annual Milan Melon Festival will give families and friends an opportunity to catch up, eat some great food, reminisce on fond memories and create some new ones.
The 54th annual Milan Melon Festival will be taking place this Labor Day weekend on Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day Monday.
“We have this festival every year and it is just a great opportunity to eat some good food, chat with family and friends and have a little fun,” said Joy Nickoli, chairperson of the Milan Melon Festival.
The festival originated over a half a century ago and was named after a popular crop that is grown in the area.
“Milan had the sweetest melons in the area, so the festival celebrated that,” Nickoli said. “Today the focus has transitioned to raising scholarships for students and raising money to have the festival for years to come.”
With a variety of food sold at the event, many local organizations will setup food stands at the event. In many cases it is the biggest fundraiser of the year for these groups.
Some of the food that will be sold at the event includes your typical fair food like cheese steak, elephant ears and fries. However, some original items that you can only find at the Melon Festival include cantaloupe ice cream and watermelon sherbet.
“There will also be some new rides this year, which should be fun,” Nickoli said. “Some of these new rides include a 80 foot tall Ferris wheel and bumper cars.”
With between 50,000 and 100,000 people expected to attend the festival, it should be a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the last days of summer.
“There is something for everyone,” Nickoli said. “If you want to have some fun for little money, come to the Milan Melon Festival and support our great community.”
For more information on the Milan Melon Festival, visit www.milanmelonfestival.org.
