Hampton County Today

06/20/2026

06/20/2026

We are excited to be hosting the kick off of the 84th Hampton County Watermelon Festival Saturday, June 20th. The address is 1800 CoOp Road, Hampton. If you can’t find us, call 843-226-3612 for directions. Don’t forget your lawn chair.

06/20/2026

🎶🍉GET READY, HAMPTON COUNTY!🍉 PLEASE SHARE!!

The countdown is on for the 3RD ANNUAL HAMPTON COUNTY WATERMELON FESTIVAL COUNTRY MUSIC KICKOFF!

Join us on Saturday, June 20th as we kick off the 84th Annual Hampton County Watermelon Festival with an unforgettable night of live country music, great friends, dancing and festival fun!

📅 Saturday, June 20, 2026
📍 Barn of Escondido Farms, 1800 Coop Rd, Hampton, SC
🎟️ General Admission: $20 Cash at the Gate
🕕 Gates Open at 6:00PM
🎸 Jason Lee Cook Band Opens at 7:00PM
🍻 Beverages Available with Valid ID (21+)

⭐ Featuring Jason Lee Cook
Carolina Country Music Award Winner (2025 Male Artist of the Year), Jason Lee Cook brings his authentic country sound straight from Walterboro, South Carolina. Influenced by legendary artists including Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, George Strait, and Garth Brooks, Jason delivers a performance that country music fans won't want to miss.

⭐ Featuring Walker Taylor
Born and raised in Ridgeland, South Carolina, Walker Taylor has built a reputation for high-energy performances and authentic songwriting inspired by small-town life. Influenced by artists such as Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert, and Jelly Roll, Walker's music connects with audiences through heartfelt lyrics and powerful storytelling. Fresh off the release of his newest single, "Georgia Tonight," Walker is bringing his electric live show to Hampton County for an incredible night of country music.

🎤 Bring your lawn chairs, gather your friends, and come enjoy an incredible evening under the stars as we kick off the Hampton County Watermelon Festival!
- 🍉 Zoe McCrary 🍉

- Walker Taylor
- JASON LEE COOK

06/20/2026

🎶✨ HAMPTON COUNTY WATERMELON FESTIVAL VARIETY SHOW TALENT SEARCH 🎶✨CALLING ALL TALENTED PERFORMERS! 🎶✨

🍉Hampton County is bursting with talent, and we want YOU to showcase yours at the Hampton County Watermelon Festival Variety Show!

🎤 Whether you sing, dance, play an instrument, perform magic tricks, paint live, or do any other amazing act—we want to see it! All ages are welcome to participate!

Don't miss your chance to be part of this incredible event! Sign up now using the link below:

🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_q26bK0e9CdHeO69zOxhxTpieUBGxuZ-IzfDs162cXcYdpQ/viewform

🌟🍉Participants who register for the Variety Show should come to the dress rehearsal at the lighthouse church, Saturday, June 13th at 3pm to practice.

Come share your talent with the community and make this year's festival unforgettable! Who's ready to shine? 🌟

Hampton County Watermelon Festival Variety Show Details:
🍉Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
🍉Time: 3:00pm
🍉Location: Lighthouse Church

For questions, contact Jack Hutto at 803-943-1647.

06/20/2026

🚜🍉HAMPTON COUNTY WATERMELON FESTIVAL TRACTOR DRIVING CONTEST🍉🚜

📍 NEW LOCATION FOR 2026!
⭐️⭐️Join us at the Hampton United Methodist Church Annex, 202 Mulberry Street, Hampton, SC

The 84th Annual Hampton County Watermelon Festival invites high school students ages 16–18 to put their knowledge and driving skills to the test at the annual Tractor Driving Contest!

📅 Saturday, June 20, 2026
⏰ Beginning at 9:00 AM

Participants will compete in:
✅ Safety Training Test
✅ Tractor Parts & Components Test
✅ FFA Tractor Driving Course

🏆 Cash Prizes Awarded
🥇 1st Place⬅️
🥈 2nd Place⬅️
🥉 3rd Place⬅️

Whether you’re experienced on a tractor or looking for a fun challenge, this is a great opportunity to showcase your agricultural knowledge and skills while competing for cash prizes!

📝 Register Today!
• Scan the QR Code below (or)
• Call: 803-943-3427 ext. 0
• Email: [email protected]

A special thank you to our generous Tractor Driving Contest sponsors:
🌟 J.R. Wilson Construction
🌟 Green Acres Turf Farm
🌟 Bank of the Lowcountry
🌟 Brunson Ace Hardware
🌟 Murdaugh Kubota
🌟 Hampton United Methodist Church

Don’t miss this exciting Hampton County Watermelon Festival tradition. We look forward to seeing you on June 20th!


Lisa G. Terry Dawn Baggett Stuckey

06/20/2026

FROM THE HAMPTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Upcoming Traffic Safety Alert/Lane Closure
Saturday June 20th, 2026, 6:00am-10:00am

The Annual Hampton County Watermelon Festival 5k will take place this Saturday morning, June 20th, in the Town of Hampton. Hwy 278 East bound right lane will be shut down from Willard St West to Jackson St East from 6:00am until 9:00am. Several smaller intersections will be monitored and manned by the Hampton Police Department and Watermelon Festival personnel. During this time, 5k participants will have the right of way along the route and traffic must stop and yield to them. The route is shown in the picture below. PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION, SLOW DOWN and allow the safety of the participants to be top priority. Hampton County Watermelon Festival www.hcmelonfest.org

06/20/2026

HAMPTON COUNTY WATERMELON FESTIVAL KIDS FUN RUN

🍉A morning made just for kids—full of energy, excitement, and festival spirit. Children are invited to come run, jog, skip, or walk their way down Jackson Street and be part of a hometown tradition that celebrates confidence, movement, and fun.

🍉Saturday, June 20, 2026
🍉9:00 AM
🍉Jackson Street
🍉Ages 12 & Under
🍉No registration needed. Just come join the fun!

🍉Every child is welcome. Every pace is celebrated. It’s all about enjoying the moment and making memories.

🍉More information at hcmelonfest.org

***Please help by sharing and commenting below if you see this post. Thanks!

06/20/2026

06/20/2026

🍉 84TH ANNUAL HAMPTON COUNTY WATERMELON FESTIVAL

🍉 SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH- SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH

🍉THEME: “HAPPY 250TH BIRTHDAY AMERICA! FREEDOM NEVER TASTED SO SWEET”