Welcome to Halifax County’s most anticipated event of the summer! Prepare yourself for a night filled with friends, food, festivities, and sweet cantaloupes. Celebrating its 43rd year, the Virginia Cantaloupe Festival has become a beloved tradition among both locals and visitors.
You may be wondering: what makes these cantaloupes so special? The county’s exceptional loamy soil and perfect climate produced melons so large that they couldn’t fit into shipping bins for grocery stores. In the 1960s, the Turbeville cantaloupes gained legendary status, sought after by hotels and restaurants from Chicago to New York. Today, these delicious melons ripen on the vine, boasting a wonderful combination of sweetness, juiciness (like watermelons), and an enticing musky aroma.
Initially conceived in 1980 as a fundraising event by the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce and the Turbeville Cantaloupe Growers Association, the Virginia Cantaloupe Festival celebrated our renowned local cantaloupes. Since its humble beginnings on local farmland, the festival has featured live music, produce, and good times with friends and family. Today, the Virginia Cantaloupe Festival has evolved into a regional attraction, consistently selling out and welcoming visitors from across the state.
For an inclusive price of $40, attendees gain access to the festival grounds at Berry Hill Resort and enjoy unlimited beverages, including beer, wine, seltzers, soft drinks, and water. The ticket also covers servings of Reese Farms’ Halifax County Cantaloupes, roasted corn, and ice cream provided by D&D Skins (Pro Tip: Enjoy the ice cream with the cantaloupe!) Meals can be purchased separately from a wide array of food trucks, featuring mouthwatering options such as lobster rolls, empanadas, BBQ, mac and cheese, quesadillas, loaded tater tots, and more.
Continuing tradition, the festival will feature live music and plenty of dancing. This year’s show will kick off with a performance by the up-and-coming Jared Stout Band, whose powerful and soulful sound is sure to energize the crowd. Later in the evening, popular Jim Quick and Coastline will take the stage, treating attendees to their blend of soul, blues, R&B, beach music, and Americana. Prepare to sing along and dance the night away!
The 2023 Virginia Cantaloupe Festival is proudly hosted by the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce and presented by Sentara Health and URW Community Federal Credit Union. Join us on Friday, July 28 from 5 pm to 10 pm on the lawn of the beautiful Berry Hill Resort and Conference Center. Secure your advanced tickets for $40 at the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce, through their online platform, the Halifax County Visitor Center, or URW Credit Union. The festival always sells out, so be sure to buy your tickets in advance. You don’t miss out on this legendary event that brings together the best of Halifax County’s summer offerings!
