Is there any summer fruit more beloved than watermelon? The sweet, juicy melon is the centerpiece of an annual festival in the tiny northeastern Nebraska village of Thurston (population 132).

Watermelon Days is Thurston's signature event. The town is so proud of the festival, in fact, that they even put it on their welcome sign.
By Ammodramus [CC0], from Wikimedia Commons
Every year at the very tail end of summer, folks from Thurston and the surrounding area come together to ring out the season.
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Watermelon Days stretches all the way across the village and over an entire weekend, featuring tons of events for everyone in the family. There are games, live music, vendors, a kiddie parade, a tractor pull, and more.
Facebook/Thurston Watermelon Days

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Of course, you can't have a watermelon festival without the watermelon. On the last day of the festival is a free watermelon feed where festival-goers can eat their fill of the sweet fruit.
Facebook/Thurston Watermelon Days
This is the perfect opportunity to get to know the other people at the festival and indulge in one of summer's most delectable natural treats.
flickr/Steve Snodgrass
In 2021, Thurston Watermelon Days is set to take place on August 13-15. It promises to be an absolute blast! Are you ready?
flickr/Sam valadi

If you’re interested in helping out with Thurston Watermelon Days this year or just want to keep up on dates and other news, like the Facebook page right here. Have you ever attended this festival? We’d love to hear your stories in the comment section.

Thurston is just one of tons of tiny, adorable towns in Nebraska. You can get to know more in this article from the archives.

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