Tri-County Family Care Center Melon Chunkin' Festival - Sept. 13th

Description: Join the People of Southeast Colorado for the Tri-County Family Care Center Melon Chunkin' Festival at the Arkansas Valley Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 13, 2025...

Tri-County Family Care Center Melon Chunkin' Festival - Sept. 13th

Tri-County Family Care Center will have a Melon Chunkin’ Festival on Saturday, September 13th , 2025, at the Arkansas Valley Fairgrounds from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Kenny Arguello will be the Emcee for the event, with Trent Ryan of Ark Valley Entertainment, as the DJ.

A Trebuchet machine (provided) will be used per team to compete in the launching of cantaloupe and watermelon. There will be vendors, a Chainsaw Carver, Knights in Armor & Sword Fights, a pumpkin patch, a kid’s area with a Nerf battle zone.

A watermelon eating contest will be sponsored by the Rocky Ford Chamber. There will also be a horse decorated as a “Unicorn!" Kids can decorate a pumpkin.

A parade will be led by the Knights in Armor around the fairgrounds at 12:30 pm. Everyone is encouraged to dress up and decorate their bikes with a Medieval theme to enter a contest judged at 1:30 pm. Best decorated bike, pumpkin and costume will win prizes! The Knights in Armor will perform 3 sword fights in a marked off area at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. They will be available to visit people and interact with the kids, throughout the day. Sutherlands will offer an archery contest.

A traveling veterans war museum will be available to tour for a nominal fee. It is the only one this side of the Mississippi River! It has uniforms as far back as the Civil War! Weapons will also be shown. You can keep your loved ones name honored by donating their uniform for this museum to display in the future.

UC Lifeline helicopter will land in the field for people to see inside & ask questions.

Please let us know if you are willing to participate as a team. Call 719-254-7776 or pick up a registration form at 512 ½ N Main St, Rocky Ford. (We can email you a form.) Pre-Registration is advised, because the number of teams will be limited. You do not need to build a trebuchet. Teams will use one we have on hand. A team consists of up to 3-4 people and it is free to participate! Children 13 and older need to have at least 1 adult.

This event will be a great Family Strengthening or Team Building activity and can win prizes too!! Teams will be judged on communication, teamwork and how well they score with the launch. Top 3 teams will receive a prize and a trophy. They can dress in a costume, or we have some costumes available! Winners may receive a prize for their own costume!

A Cantaloupe Catapult contest will be held during lunch time. Individuals can purchase a number for a cantaloupe to go the furthest or hit the bullseye. TCFCC’s crew will do the launch. There will be a first, second and third place winner in each category to win cash prizes. Come join the fun for a nominal entrance fee for adults, ages 5 and up, 4 & under Free.

Let’s have a mini-Renaissance day!!

Sponsors are: Total Concept, Black Hill’s Energy, Rocky Ford Discount Tire, Lewis Bolt & Nut, The Free Will Church, Hirakata Farms, Matt Proctor Farms, Sutherlands, Gobins, City of Rocky Ford, Small Town Project and Rocky Ford Chamber.

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