Shown above are your 2025 Watermelon Festival Queens. From left front are Little Miss Taylor Druhet, Tiny Little Miss A’mya Newkirk and Petite Miss Carlyscott Burt. Back row from left are Toddler Miss Arabella Barber, Rodeo Miss Shelbie Pittman, Rodeo Little Miss Leanna Milton, Rodeo Junior Miss Braelyn Milton, WPWF Queen Grace Knight, Teen Miss Addison Leos, Baby Miss Cheyenne McElveen, Junior Miss Isabella Ikerd and Deb Miss Avery Branch. PHOTO BY DANIELLE IKERD

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THE DAILY NEWS

The Washington Parish Watermelon Festival Pageant took place on Saturday, June 7th, marking the official start of this year’s summer festivities. The event crowned a new group of bright and enthusiastic queens who will represent the festival throughout the year.

2025 Washington Parish Watermelon Festival Queens:

• Baby Miss Queen – Cheyenne McElveen

• Toddler Miss Queen – Arabella Barber

• Tiny Miss Queen – A’mya Newkirk

• Petite Miss Queen – Carlyscott Burt

• Little Miss Queen – Taylor Druhet

• Deb Miss Queen – Avery Branch

• Junior Miss Queen – Isabella Ikerd

• Teen Miss Queen – Addison Leos

• Miss Washington Parish Watermelon Festival – Grace Knight

Also crowned were the Washington Parish Watermelon Festival Ranch Rodeo Queens:

• Ranch Rodeo Little Miss – Leanna Milton

• Ranch Rodeo Junior Miss – Braelyn Milton

• Miss WPWF Ranch Rodeo Queen – Shelbie Pittman

With the pageant winners officially announced, excitement is building for the 2025 Washington Parish Watermelon Festival, set to take place July 11–13 at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds.

A Weekend of Sweet Fun Ahead

The festival kicks off on Friday, July 11, with a lively start featuring a Ranch Rodeo, food booths, games, and local vendors offering everything from crafts to treats.

Saturday, July 12, brings the much-anticipated Watermelon Festival Parade, rolling through Franklinton at 9:00 a.m. Families can enjoy live entertainment, games, contests, and delicious local eats. The day’s highlight is the Watermelon Auction, where local farmers will showcase their prize-winning melons—followed by contests for seed spitting, watermelon eating, and the ever-popular watermelon roll.

Visitors can also enjoy a car and tractor show, another round of rodeo action, and close the day with a dazzling fireworks display.

Sunday, July 13, wraps up the weekend with church services and gospel singing hosted by local churches. Guests can enjoy a relaxed day filled with music, food, shopping, and, of course, the region’s sweetest watermelons.

So pack up the kids, round up the family, and make plans to join the community for a truly juicy, sweet, and fun-filled celebration. The Washington Parish Watermelon Festival promises a weekend that’s ripe with tradition and bursting with summertime spirit!