The historic town of Murfreesboro will again pay homage to a favorite summer treat when it hosts the 26th annual North Carolina Watermelon Festival next week.

Visitors to the festival can enjoy a free slice of the state’s finest melons, but the festival’s activities extend far beyond melons. Special festival events include a 5K race and walk, sponsored by Murfreesboro Rotary Club, a large antiques, collectibles and crafts fair, a tasty variety of food, amusements rides, street dances each night, watermelon games and contests, and much more.

The theme is “Watermelon in Paradise,” and there will be a festive island touch to everything.

Featured bands include TFC on Wednesday; Northtower on Thursday; Island Boy on Friday; and Coconut Groove on Saturday.

At 10 a.m. on Saturday, North Carolina’s largest agricultural parade will take place in downtown Murfreesboro, sponsored by the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the fireworks show will take place at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday.

The festival and nightly street dances will be held in the Murfreesboro Historic District, one block north of Main Street.

For more information, call Laurie Brook at 252-398-7695, email melons@watermelonfestivalnc.com, or visit www.watermelonfestivalnc.com.