Original Turberville growers Jack Stephens, Bob Long, Rita Herbert, Hilton Hudson and John Wade. The first festival was held on Wade's farm in 1981. |
Virginia Cantaloupe Festival
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2000, the
Virginia Cantaloupe Festival has grown from a local fund-raising
event devised by the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce and the
Turbeville Cantaloupe Growers Association to a regional attraction.
The Chamber of Commerce and about 300 community volunteers still
plan, promote, and host the event each year, and proceeds from the
festival enable the Chamber to enhance programming, make capital
improvements, and sustain a full-time staff. Not only does Festival
entertain fun-seekers and educate visitors about the area's
agricultural bounty and the Turbeville community, but it serves as
well as a forum for local and corporate businesses and politicians,
including governors, lieutenant governors, senators and
delegates.
Halifax County cantaloupes are highlighted, along
with other locally grown produce such as tomatoes, corn,
watermelons, blackberries, raspberries, and soybeans. Each year
bands recognized for their contribution to southern-influenced
music entertain about 4500 attendees. The Virginia Cantaloupe
Festival has been featured in area television segments, and it has
employed a website to inform thousands more of the yearly event.
The project is documented by a five-page report, ten photographs, a
tee-shirt and a ceramic tile trivet.
Originally submitted by: Virgil Goode, Jr., Representative (5th District).
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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.
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