Green River Melon Days continues the 110-year-old tradition

Green River Melon Days continues the 110-year-old tradition

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GREEN RIVER, Emery County — As the end of the summer draws near, Melon Days is just beginning.

Green River is famously known for its local source of juicy watermelons. Each year as the sun-ripened crop is ready to harvest, the community of Green River celebrates the fruit they have been growing since the late 1880s. According to the the August 30, 1906 edition of the Eastern Utah Advocate, the Fruit Festival (as it was known then) “drew in large crowds.” Now called Melon Days, the City of Green River continues its 110-year-old tradition.

Jackie Nelson said this is her first year as the Melon Days event coordinator.

“It’s a family event," she said. "A lot of people come back to Green River who have lived here past years, and get reacquainted with friends. Families come back and other visitors come from all over to enjoy the event.”

The Eastern Utah Advocate, a small country newspaper, ran from 1895-1915. It names Green River's "Fruit Festival" as a successful event in their August 30, 1906 edition, giving Melon Days its official birthday. (Photo: Public Domain Utah Digital Newspapers)
The Eastern Utah Advocate, a small country newspaper, ran from 1895-1915. It names Green River's "Fruit Festival" as a successful event in their August 30, 1906 edition, giving Melon Days its official birthday. (Photo: Public Domain Utah Digital Newspapers)

Green River has a small-town feel with a population of about 800 people, but because it is just off I-70, there are many of the amenities of a larger city. Green River is also right in the middle of several majestic national and state parks, making it a popular thoroughfare for passing tourist. Dead Horse Point State Park, Goblin Valley State Park, Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park are some of the frequent day trips that visitors can take from Green River.

“The joke here is that our population doubles at night in the summertime,” Nelson said.

JoAnne Chandler, a history archive buff, credits the Farrer family in the 1890s for first planting various fruits in Green River. At 4,000 feet in elevation, the land boasts a long frost-free season and hot temperatures that are ideal for crispy watermelons.

“Initially, the Fruit Festival started with our land boom in 1906," Chandler said. "From the beginning we had melons, peaches, apples, plums and pears. We have had a lot of produce shipped out of here for 100 plus years in addition to the watermelon.”

Running from Sept. 14-17, patrons of this year’s Melon Days can expect a schedule packed with family-friendly activities. A classic car show, square dancing, a softball tournament and a watermelon seed spitting contest are only some of the four-day festival’s events. The star of the show will obviously be that local tasty treat, the watermelon.

There are now three main growers in Green River and all the farmers are planning to have their produce at Melon Days.


Evelyn Hatch is proud to be a Utah native and mother of three boys. Contact her at evelynrimmasch@hotmail.com

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