Melons and family fun are featured during the annual Irrigon Watermelon Festival.

In its 33rd year, the festivities kick off Saturday with a breakfast from 6:30-9:30 a.m. at Irrigon Marina Park. The parade, which starts at 10 a.m. in downtown Irrigon, winds back to the marina park for the rest of the day’s activities. The event’s opening ceremonies start at 11 a.m.

Derrick Kestler is gearing up for a great car show during the event. He invites people to join the parade and then display their vehicle for the show. For more about the car show, call Kestler at 541-571-0421.

Renee Couchman of the festival committee said people should bring a hearty appetite and some extra change. Additional food and craft vendors will be on hand throughout the day. And watermelon will be available for 50 cents a slice.

In addition, there are several chances to win cash and prizes. The 50/50 raffle costs $2 per ticket, the button draw is $1 each for a chance to win $100 and raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5. Raffle items include gift certificates from area businesses, Dust Devil tickets, an air conditioner, a kid’s electric car a Wildhorse Resort & Casino package and a flat screen TV.

“We have a great variety of prizes and just a lot of odds and ends,” Couchman said.

The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office will offer free boat rides on the Columbia River. Also, a water slide and dunk tank will provide additional opportunities to get wet.

Stage entertainment features regional talents, including Dakota Brown Band, Nuketown, the Irrigon High School cheerleaders, Dance Unlimited, Outsiders, Roundup City Cloggers and the Missy G Band. The master of ceremonies is Jeff Richey of Your Way Sound and Lights. Richey will keep things flowing and then usher in the street dance from 9 p.m. to midnight.

For more information, contact Couchman at 541-922-1560 or City Manager Aaron Palmquist at manager@ci.irrigon.or.us.