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Howell Melon Festival Friday Events
Howell Melon Festival gears up in full swing in downtown Howell this weekend.
Friday events include the 34th annual , starting at 6 p.m. at the corner of North State and East Clinton Streets; costs apply.
Another major highlight is the 5-9 p.m. Fine Art Show & Tours at the Opera House, which is making a concerted comeback.
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You also have the option to go a little further afield from noon-11 p.m. and enjoy River Boat Melon Cruises at the boat launch on Thompson Lake, which includes lunch, dinner and moonlight cruises as a fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society of Livingston County.
The event also features local products. Howell’s Main Street winery offers free melon wine tasting from noon-9 p.m.; you also can enjoy enjoy authentic Howell Melon ice cream served by Howell Rotary club members from 3-9 p.m. on the historic courthouse lawn. Other events and services in that location include an information booth, picnic area and merchandise as well as a State Street barbecue, all available from 3-9 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Brightonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Attractions appealing to history buffs also are available; from 3-9 p.m. enjoy a trip down Memory Lane in Peanut Row Alley (located between State Street and N. Michigan Avenue), which is full of historic photos of Howell submitted by community members. Tours of the historic Howell Depot Museum take place from 3-6 p.m.; it’s located north of Clinton on North Walnut at the train station.
Howell Melon Carts Selling Howell Melons will travel up and down the streets of Howell from 3-9 p.m. Children’s inflatables are featured from 3-10 p.m. north of Grand River on North Walnut.
A big party’s going on from 5-10 p.m. in the festival Tent with Michigan Micro-brews, live music, and BBQ. Sample Michigan micro-brews from lots of different companies, enjoy live entertainment and feast on a barbecue provided by Hickory BBQ and Grill. Enjoy acoustic music from Lance Sherwood and Jim Fugit on Friday night. Admission only is $5; beer tasting packages are additional.
Other evening events include the 6-9 p.m. Box that Rocks! WHMI 93.5 FM on the corner of Grand River and State Street, concerts at the courthouse from 7-9 p.m. featuring The Rhythm Society Orchestra. Both events are free.
