Dresden Melon Festival hits the ten-year milestone

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Dresden had their tenth annual Melon Festival to raise money for improvements to Dresden parks.

The Melon Festival had numerous activities which included a petting zoo and games. Games were a ticket per game with each ticket costing a quarter. If you won the game, you were able to select a prize. There was also a silent auction, with the money raised going to improve the town’s parks. Mayor David Mathew said after being gone for many years the melon festival was brought back.

“Ten years ago, then Mayor Bob Lane, asked some of us if we would be interested in rekindling the Dresden Melon Festival,” said Mayor Mathew. “It used to be an event for back to school for the kids. We have now made it a venue for everybody, but that was the start of it.”

Mayor Mathew said the Melon Festival allows people to have fun as well as to bring attention to the cantaloupe growers in the area.

“That was all based on the heritage of the cantaloupe growers in the area,” said Mayor Mathew. “We have a list of 29 growers in the area from years past. It’s part of the Dresden history.”

Mayor Mathew said an event like this shows the community’s spirit and support of the town’s history.