It all started back when...
Mr. John U. Miller Sr. purchased the 300 acre farm in 1939. Mr. Miller Sr. and his family
proceeded to turn the 26 acres of river front into a thriving Watermelon Field and opened
the Miller Fruit Stand on the corner of Rt. 7 and Chilly Hollow Rd. (Today it is known as
Nall's Market). In 1942 Mr. Miller started a "Watermelon Festival" that would feature a
variety of old-time games and activities, plus a Fiddling Contest. He would also carve up a
truck load of watermelons and personally hand each guest a free slice!

Mr .Miller Sr., having a great appreciation for the new genre of music being played in the
area known as "Bluegrass", teamed up with Don Owens, a music promoter,  and together
they founded "Bluegrass Day". Held on August 10,1960 right here at Watermelon Park!  
This date marks the birth of the disputably very first  Bluegrass Festival in the country! As
the festival grew folks would simply sleep in the fields after the show. Mr. Miller saw a
demand for a camping area and they turned the ol' watermelon patch into Watermelon
Park Campground. As the old saying goes... "the rest is history!"
"Historic" Watermelon Park ?...
Watermelon Park has been host to many, Bluegrass and Country Music Festivals in years past, featuring some of the biggest
artists in the music industry. The  short list includes...
Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe, Merle Haggard, Randy Waller & The Country Gentlemen, The Statler Brothers, Don Reno, Red
Smiley, Dolly Parton & Porter Wagner, Ralph Stanley, The Carter Family, Carl Smith, Ray Price, Earnest Tubb, Sonny James,
Loretta Lynn, George Jones, The Wilburn Brothers, Johnny Horton, Lil' Jimmy Dickens, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Jimmy
Martin, Marty Stewart and many, many more!
Even a handful of movie stars have graced Watermelon Park in the day...Lash LaRue, Al "Fuzzy" St. John and Smiley Burnett.
Watermelon Park today and tomorrow...
Today's Watermelon Park is owned and operated by John U. Miller Jr. & Family. "Junior" as most folks know him, grew up
and resides,  in the old stone house which sits upon the hill top overlooking our beautiful park and the Shenandoah river.  
Once you have met him you will see why this country gentleman is a stranger to no one. Mr. Miller loves hearing the
laughter of children, playing and swimming, on a warm summer's day down at the park! Try to catch him on his golf cart
as he makes his rounds and he will be sure to pass along a wave and a smile!

We are known for being a Family-friendly Campground offering a variety of recreational activities including Tubing,
Canoeing, Kayaking, Soccer, Volleyball, Fishing, Swimming and so much more! Watermelon Park is also very supportive
and active in the local community. We have founded two of our very own Fund-raising events..." RuBiTube", a
challenging, yet fun Triathlon with proceeds going to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center and our annual Spring Fever Bass
Tournament to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Shenandoah  Valley. We are also proud members of the Top
of Virginia Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Watermelon Park has also grown into a great Event Venue! We are host to many different types of venues such
as...Weddings, Corporate Outings, Family Reunions, Church and Civic Groups, Birthday Parties and more! (See
our Events page for more details.)
Plus...
We are home of the famous Watermelon Park Fest. This 3-day event is one of the premier Bluegrass Festivals in the area.
(Please visit www.watermelonparkfest.com) This great festival is brought to you in partnership with Shepherds Ford
Production & Watermelon Park.

We are continuously making a concentrated effort to improve, both the facility and our ways of operation. We want to
provide our visitors the best possible experience during their stay with us! We have a great vision for the future
development of Watermelon Park. We want to ensure many generations to come, will be able to enjoy the splendor and
history of Watermelon Park, Bluegrass Music Festivals and the beautiful Shenandoah River.

The Miller Family and the staff of Watermelon Park, greatly appreciate your business and continued support.
We hope to see you soon...              Down at the 'Melon!  Let's go Tubin'!
Welcome to Historic Watermelon Park ...Where you're always greeted with smile!
A little bit about where we have come from and where we are going...
Don Reno, Carlton Haney and John U. Miller Sr.
The legendary Mr. Bill Monroe in 1968!
The legend returns! Mr. Bill Monroe in 2011!
RuBiTube ! This challenging yet fun 14.4
mile triathlon is a fund raiser for the Blue
Ridge Wildlife Center. See our Events page
for details.
Our annual, Spring Fever Bass Tournament, is
quickly becoming one of the most popular
tournaments around! This fund raiser benefits
the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern
Shenandoah Valley!
Mr. Miller, a.k.a "Junior" , doing a little pickin'
for a select few!
Kids can enjoy the Moon Bounce or Water
slide during the holiday or promotional
weekends!
Quad Graphics annual "Team Building" event!
Contact us today to book your next company outing!
Watermelon Park is a proud sponsor of the Armed Forces Racing NASCAR
Late Model Racing Team! Please show your support by visiting
www.ArmedForcesRacing.com