IRRIGON — The Irrigon Watermelon Festival will blast into its 40th year with a massive fireworks show on Saturday, July 27.

Charlene Cooley said the committee approached the Morrow County Unified Recreation District two years ago to request funding. The district, she said, provided $30,000.

“They sponsor our entertainment every year and were generous enough to agree to sponsor our fireworks show for our 40th anniversary,” Cooley said. “It’s going to be an amazing show. This is the first time we will have fireworks.”

Western Display Fireworks, Cooley said, is sending a team of 10 pyrotechnicians. The show will explode at 10 p.m. with 20-30 minutes of dazzling colors and sounds over the Columbia River.

Family-friendly park activities

Before the night sky lights up, a full day is planned at Irrigon Marina Park on Saturday. The sizzling start begins with breakfast served by Columbia View Church from 6:30-9:30 a.m. Cooley said a full meal will cost under $7.

Family Worship Center is hosting the pie and melon booth. Bellinger Farms is providing five cartons of melons and a carton of cantaloupe. The generous slices, Cooley said, are 50 cents each — and feature approximately one-quarter of a melon.

“They (Bellinger Farms) are so gracious each year to sponsor our watermelons,” she said.

In addition to melons, Cooley said there will be plenty of food and beverage offerings. A beer garden, hosted by The Rustic Truck Bar & Grill, runs from 4-10 p.m.

The event’s opening ceremonies start at 11 a.m. Calico Bones, a duo from Wallowa, will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“This is the first time we will have a live national anthem,” Cooley said. “We’re really excited.”

The park will bustle with activity, including local artisans selling their wares, commercial vendors, informational booths and a car show.

Other activities include paintball, face painting, a mechanical bull, axe throwing, a climbing wall, boat rides provided by the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, a hula hoop contest and presentations by Irrigon Mini Cheer, Gems Cheer and Eastern Oregon Family Tae Kwon Do.

Everybody loves a parade

Parade check-in runs from 8-9:45 a.m. at Stokes Landing Senior Center. The procession will get rolling at 10 a.m.

Planning well in advance, the committee selected Barb Huwe as the event’s grand marshal for the 40th anniversary. Although Huwe died in October 2023, Cooley said they will honor the longtime businesswoman and community cheerleader.

“Barb was just a huge proponent for all things Irrigon,” Cooley said. “Her family will be in the parade. There will be a lot of love shown to her.”

Music tunes up all day

Musical entertainment features a variety of genres, including Calico Bones (11 a.m.), The Wasteland Kings (1 p.m.); Estilo Diferente (3:45 p.m.); Randy Woody (5 p.m.); and Wade Aylett (6:30 p.m.). Cooley said the event winds down after the fireworks show.

“However, Wade said he will continue to play as long as people are there,” she said.

For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/3zMBtZX. For questions, contact irrigonwatermelonfestival@gmail.com or 541-571-8541.