The Milan Melon Festival is described as being a “big, small town festival”. The lovely village of Milan, Ohio, is the home of the melon extravaganza, which brings thousands of people to our area for Labor Day weekend.This year, the fest runs from Friday, September 1 through Monday, September 4, 2023.
Friday is a great night to come down to enjoy dinner from select food vendors before the full festival begins on Saturday.
The stars of the event are the renowned Watermelon Sherbet and Cantaloupe Ice cream. These frosty treats are ONLY available during the festival – get your cup, cone or cantaloupe full, or take home a container to help you remember the sweet time you had in Milan!
The Melon Festival is known to be very family friendly – youngsters and the very experienced in age will enjoy the events, including a kiddie tractor pull, pie-eating contest, pageants for babies up to a young ladies’ scholarship contest, band concerts, dance exhibitions, and so much more.
Live musical acts will accompany your travels through the fest, the car show, Firefighter’s Chicken BBQ, arts and crafts vendors, all the rides, and the wonderful food vendors with delicious items like pierogi, pastries, pizza, burgers and fries, cabbage and noodles (a Midwestern delicacy!) and the list goes on!
Some like to run, so they’ll take part in the 5K or Fun Run, which is usually held on the Monday of the festival. This year, that will be September 4.
If you love a good, old-fashioned parade, you will want to be here on Sunday for the Grand Parade, taking place at 2pm, though you’ll want to get there earlier to secure a good watching spot. You’ll see floats, decorated trucks, bands, the pageant queen and her court, and more. This event is subject to weather – they want to keep everyone safe!
This will also be the third annual “One in a Melon” contest, wherein Milan residents decorate their homes in a melon theme – you may see some as you go through town!
We still have limited availability for the weekend here at Angel Welcome Bed & Breakfast – book now!
For directions to the fest, from wherever you are in the world, this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p86a3zd