Watermelon Park owner John U. Miller Jr. accepted a Resolution of Appreciation from Clarke County Supervisors during their Nov. 19 meeting. Current Watermelon Park Festival producers Dave Van Deventer and Frazer Watkins (back row) joined Bev McKay, Mary Daniel, David Weiss, Barbara Byrd, and Terri Catlett as they honored Mr. Miller and his Watermelon Park for its significant place in the history of Americana, bluegrass, and country music.
John U. Miller Sr. and his wife Rose hosted the first Watermelon Festival in 1942, and it immediately became an annual event with picnics, games, music, and fiddling contests. Early festival performers included the Carter Family and Ralph Stanley. John Miller Sr. presented “Bluegrass Day” at Watermelon Park on Aug. 10, 1960 – an event considered by music historians to be the first-ever, all-day concert dedicated to American roots music. “Bluegrass Day” evolved into bigger and longer festivals with huge crowds and nationally known performers such as Bill Monroe, the Osborne Brothers, Ernest Tubb, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Del McCoury, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, George Jones, and Merle Haggard.
John Jr., who at age 6 began selling watermelons grown by his father, went on to make Watermelon Park and its music festivals his life’s work. Almost eight decades later, Watermelon Park remains a local and national treasure.
Visit the Clarke County VA website for more information.
[Photo courtesy of Clarke County, VA]