Saturday at the Howell Melon Festival is filled with kids’ activities as well as lots of arts and entertainment for all ages.
Train Rides from Howell to Byron Station are offered from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Meet at the Historic Howell Train Depot Museum on North Walnut Street, with departures taking place at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. It’s fun for the whole family.
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9 a.m.- 11 a.m. Doc May's 3rd Annual Commemorative Melon Ride takes place from 9-11 a.m. on the historic courthouse lawn. From 9 a.m.-9 p.m., the information booth, a picnic area and merchandise also are available in that location, as are the children’s activities between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. These events include a chance to “scribble the sidewalks” from 10 a.m.-noon, to participate in the kids’ bubble gum blowing contest at 11 a.m. and to take part in a watermelon seed spitting contest at noon.
Take the kids to the children’s inflatables area from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; it’s located on Walnut Street. And be sure to visit the MetroParks Education Trailer from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on North Michigan Avenue and to try your hand at the Kiwanis Club’s dunk tank between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
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Enjoy a variety of acts from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. in the demonstration area on North Michigan at Grand River Ave., including family-friendly shows such as Karen's Dance, High Flyers Gymnastics, Jump Rope Team, and My Adventure Theater.
Food and drink's available, including local specialties. From 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Howell Melons will be sold from mobile carts, a food vendor/eating area is available at the same time on Clinton Street west of North Michigan Avenue. Howell Rotary Club members serve up authentic Howell Melon ice cream from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the courthouse lawn; free melon wine tastings are available from noon-9 p.m. at Howell’s Main Street Winery, 201 W. Grand River Ave. (A limited quantity of bottles are available for purchase.)
Start at the art information booth at 118 W. Clinton Street for the new and improved Fine Arts & Wares show; it takes place from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Other art and entertainment options abound and include:
-Fine art show and tours of The Opera House from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
-Tours from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. of the historic Howell Depot Museum north of Clinton on North Walnut at the train station
-A classic car show from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. by the train depot
-Trolley tours of Historic Howell take place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. north of Clinton on North Walnut at the train station. Tours depart each hour; the last tour leaves at 3 p.m.
-Box that Rocks! By WHMI 93.5 FM from noon-9 p.m.
-Photos of Howell’s past from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. in Memory Lane within Peanut Row Alley north of Grand River between State and North Michigan Avenue.
-Also beginning at noon at the Thompson Lake boat launch, try cruises to raise funds for the Humane Society of Livingston County
-Main Entertainment Stage at North Michigan and Clinton Street features Lamp Lighter Barbershop Quartet at 10 a.m., Livingston County Concert Band at 1 p.m., The Sundowners (previous Livingston Sensation winners!) at 5:30 p.m., and Annabelle Road from 7-9 p.m.
-A festival tent open from 2-11 p.m., featuring Michigan microbrews, live music and barbecue by Hickory BBQ and Grill. Entry fee is $5; various beer tasting packages are available. Musical acts include Meg and Tony, Sinjun Smith and the Bugs Beddow Band.
-Seeing a free Disney film, Tangled, from 9:15-11 p.m. on State Street
