Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate and Gary Greene will partner with the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce in hosting the 23rd Annual Watermelon Festival, Saturday, July 21 in downtown Hempstead.

A parade at 9 a.m. will kick off the festivities, which include a carnival, watermelon growing, eating and seed-spitting contests and the coronation of the 2012 Watermelon Queen. A free street dance will commence at Train Depot Park at 7 p.m., and National Guard member and country music star Darb Ledbetter will close out the event at 10 p.m.

For a detailed listing of the day’s events, visit http://wmf.hempsteadtxchamber.com/