2023 DATE: August 18-20, 2023
This post documents my experience on August 27, 2019.
On the Howell Carnegie Library lawn…
…the Rotary Club of Howell was selling something rather special and delicious…
…ice cream made from official Howell melons…
…in celebration of their annual Melon Festival.
The Melon Festival took place in downtown Howell, with the majority running along W. Grand River Avenue…
…where vendors sold everything from local maple products and salsas (4D Acre Farm/Jose Madrid)…
…to awesome Michigan mitten inspired wooden furniture and items (Allen and Sons Woodworking)…
…while including metallic sculptures…
…women’s garments…
…chairs, clocks, signs and more.
Mixed among the vendors were booths held by local churches (Centerpointe/Prince of Peace Lutheran)…
…local non-profit organizations (Right to Life)…
…political party offices of the county (Republicans/Democrats).
…as well as other types of vendors that offered face painting…
…henna…
…and a bar-hanging game (Hang 2 Win).
Attractions and entertainment found at the festival included a Lego area…
…with impressive displays…
…areas for kids to jump, build…
…and get creative (Kensington Woods Schools)…
…a fine arts show and sale in the Opera House…
…a stage for the Canine Stars Stunt Show…
…and a festival tent…
…which offered food (Great Lakes Custom Meats)…
…beer and wine…
…axe throwing fun…
…and a stage area for live music.
Finally, there was a food area branched off the main road…
…with options that ranged from hot dogs and chicken tenders…
…to baby back ribs and poke’ bowls (Great Lakes Custom Meats/Poké Fresh).
…and, while local businesses did offer such festival theme desserts as melon sundaes and melon milkshakes (Heart of Michigan/Chocolate Boutique)…
…it wasn’t a bad idea to also stop by the Bentley Lake Farms tractor…
…for some melons to take home.