The City of Fallon is set to host its beloved Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair from Aug. 28 through Aug. 30. The three‑day event will showcase food, shopping vendors, classic fair games, contests, stage entertainment and a variety of family‑friendly activities that highlight the region’s agricultural legacy.
Festival schedule and activities
Festival hours run from 1 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 9 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Attendees can explore fair exhibits, enjoy cantaloupe‑flavored treats, and shop local crafts. Off‑site events include the Cantaloupe 5K & Fun Run and the Cantaloupe Pageant, offering additional ways for residents and visitors to participate.
Educational and community focus
Interactive educational exhibits will highlight local talent and Nevada’s farming heritage, reinforcing the festival’s mission to support homegrown businesses and preserve the city’s agricultural traditions.
Ticket information
Tickets are available for individual days or the full weekend. Adult admission is $15 per day; children ages 4‑10 pay $8. Children 3 and younger enter free. Weekend passes cost $25 for adults and $12 for children. Seniors 65 and older can purchase Sunday‑only admission for $5. Discounted military tickets are offered with valid identification. All tickets can be purchased online at falloncantaloupefestival.com/tickets/.
Historical roots
The festival traces its origins to 1911, when O.J. Vannoy began cultivating the Hearts of Gold cantaloupe in Churchill County. The variety gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, with reports that some melons were even served at the White House. Although the market declined in the late 1930s, six Chinese immigrant families kept the crop alive through successive generations. Local residents revived the celebration in 1985 as part of the farm‑to‑table movement, and the event merged with the Oasis Stampede & Country Fair in 2015.
Mayor’s remarks
“The Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair captures who Fallon is,” said City of Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford. “It’s all about coming together to celebrate our roots, our traditions, and the things that make Fallon feel like home. We can’t wait to welcome everyone for a weekend full of fun competitions and entertainment, and, of course, cantaloupe‑flavored treats.”
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
