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South Florida Watermelon Festival – REVIEW

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South Florida’s Watermelon Festival Debuts a Juicy Slice of Family Fun.

April 13th, 2025

There’s a new fruit stealing the spotlight in Boca Raton—and it’s a sweet one. Making its debut on April 12–13, 2025, the South Florida Watermelon Festival rolled into South County Regional Park with mouthwatering treats, high-flying fun, and plenty of smiles to go around. Brought to life by the same team behind the beloved South Florida Strawberry Festival, this fruity follow-up offered a refreshing twist for spring, and it was anything but a carbon copy.

Following the success of their January event, which drew a staggering 15,000 guests, Artisan Promotions and FOMO Entertainment Group decided it was time to seed a new tradition. “We thought, ‘Hey, let’s build another festival around another delicious fruit,’” said co-organizer Skyler Mendieta. “That’s how the Watermelon Festival was born.”

co-organizer Skyler Mendieta at South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

And what a birth it was. From inflatable obstacle courses to crowd-pleasing carnival rides and quirky attractions like the human hamster wheel and balloon bubble houses, the Watermelon Festival had something for every age. Whether it was toddlers giggling in the soft play area or teens bouncing on bungee trampolines, this event offered a melon-choly-free weekend of entertainment.

South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Watermelon Festival without a few rind-blowing culinary creations. Guests could snack on chocolate-dipped watermelon skewers, watermelon smoothies, and even watermelon-ham-mint-and-cheese combos that blended refreshing with savory. The beloved food vendors from the Strawberry Festival were back too, dishing out fan favorites like smoked pork belly cones and brisket-topped mac and cheese. Safe to say, guests didn’t leave hungry—or thirsty.

On the performance side, the America’s Got Talent–featured pig show stole the stage (and a few hearts). “Oink,” a 700-pound, sunglass-sporting pig, oinked his way through “Old MacDonald,” joined by a charming llama, some sprightly pups, and a band of adorable piglets. It was a PIG-tacular performance that had crowds squealing with delight.

Another highlight? The watermelon eating contest, where guests of all ages competed for glory and a good laugh, diving into juicy slices with watermelon-to-ear grins. And for families with sensory-sensitive kids, the festival introduced a thoughtful Early Access Ticket, allowing entry an hour before general admission to provide a calmer, line-free environment—like having Disney World all to yourself.

But this wasn’t just about thrill rides and tasty treats. There was meaning behind the fun too. Guests could support the IDDeal Foundation by crafting watermelon-scented candles at the Magic Candle Tent, a hands-on activity that combined creativity and compassion.

Between the laughter, the music, the food, and the floats, it was clear the Watermelon Festival wasn’t just trying to copy its strawberry predecessor—it was carving out its own space, one juicy bite at a time.

With free general parking (VIP parking was just $10), a $28 all-inclusive ticket covering rides, inflatables, and shows (kids under two got in free), and plenty of vendor booths for shopping and snacking, the festival truly delivered on its promise of being fun for the whole family.

In a region known for its sunshine and spirit, the Watermelon Festival proved it could hold its own, combining top-tier organization with old-fashioned fun. Thanks to the powerhouse team of Jackie and Skyler from Artisan Promotions and FOMO Entertainment Group, South Florida just might have a new favorite fruit-filled tradition on its hands.

And if this year was any indication, next year’s Watermelon Festival will be even melon-tastic.

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Bourbon Street Eateryt at South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Viking Brothers Woodfire Meat at South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • co-organizer Skyler Mendieta at South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • South Florida Watermelon Festival ©South Florida Insider

Coach is South Florida Insider's Owner, President, Webmaster, as well as a Reporter and Photographer covering events all over the world. Born in West Palm Beach, Coach continues to call the sunny Florida area home. He received his Associate degree from the University of South Florida, then transferred to the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism & Communications. During his journalistic career, which has been featured in local newspapers and magazines as well as national publications, Coach has also continued his love of being an educator. It’s through both endeavors that he’s actively got students interested in following in the field of journalism. Coach loves sharing the world of entertainment with others and giving people the opportunity to step out of the everyday life.

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Inside Palace Bar’s Haus of Gucci Ball

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Between flying queens, strong pours, and a room full of Pride week energy, Palace turned Friday night into one of the hottest parties on Ocean Drive.


April 11, 2026

During Miami Beach Pride Week, plenty of venues try to capture the moment, but Palace Bar made Friday night feel like the place everyone wanted to be. The Haus of Gucci Ball brought together drag, fashion, nightlife, and the kind of high energy crowd that made the whole evening feel elevated from the start.

The atmosphere hit immediately. Palace was glowing, the music kept the room alive, and the crowd was fully locked in. It felt vibrant, glamorous, and very Miami Beach. More than just a dinner outing, the night unfolded like a full Pride experience on Ocean Drive.

The clear highlight was a queen whose acrobatic performance completely took over the room. She moved with an incredible mix of strength, control, and confidence, turning the floor into her stage and delivering a routine that felt both dazzling and deeply seductive. At one point, she was flipping around on a man with such effortless precision that the whole crowd seemed to stop at once. It was captivating, sexy, and easily one of the most memorable moments of the night.

The food and drinks absolutely kept up. We had the filet bites and tuna tostones, both perfect for sharing between performances, along with skinny margaritas and lemon drops that were dangerously easy to drink. And yes, Palace was pouring strong, which only added to the fun. The cocktails matched the mood of the night perfectly: bold, smooth, and hard to stop ordering.

What makes Palace Bar work so well during Miami Beach Pride is that the energy never drops. The performers are not just part of the background. They pull the whole room in. The crowd responds, the music keeps moving, and the night keeps building. That kind of momentum is exactly what makes an event feel worth showing up for.

 

The Haus of Gucci Ball was one part of Palace Bar’s larger Miami Beach Pride Week programming, which has helped make the venue one of the biggest draws on Ocean Drive this week. With events spanning multiple days, Palace has become a go to destination for people looking for drag performances, nightlife, rooftop energy, DJs, and a crowd that wants to celebrate Pride in full.

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If you were at Palace Bar on Friday night, you already know how good it was. If you missed it, this was one of those Miami Beach Pride nights worth hearing about.

Ready for your next night at Palace? Visit Palace South Beach for reservations, menus, and upcoming events, and follow Palace on Instagram for the latest drag shows, Pride weekend moments, and Ocean Drive updates.

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