Locally grown food, a cornhole tournament, and of course, cantaloupes. That's just some of what the Fallon Cantaloupe Festival has to offer.
A handful of local vendors rolled in to Rafter 3C Arena to show off their wares.
Korena Mewaldt co-owns Mewaldt Organics with her husband Bill. The family farm started over 30 years ago. Mewaldt says the farm was organic certified at one point, but they still practice organic farming to this day.
She says the festival is great for local agriculture.
"They really focus on the farmers and the local artisans," Mewaldt says.
Mewaldt sells some baked goods and a lot of produce, including Lahontan white garlic. It's a unique variety Bill helped create.
If you need something to season with that garlic, Park Ranch Meats offers locally harvested beef. The Minden-based farm has been in business since 1861.
Don Harper works for Park Ranch, and he says coming out to this festival is huge for the small business.
"With everybody coming through today to see our logo and see our table and stuff and talk to us," he says, "it could mean incredible growth."
Of course, you can't have the Cantaloupe Festival without, well, cantaloupes.
Pick'N and Grin'N is one of a few local farms that sells cantaloupes at the event. Its owner Ron Peterson says for local businesses in rural Nevada, there's something important to keep in mind.
"In these small towns," Peterson says, "keep your friends. Don't make any enemies."
The cantaloupe festival continues until 5 p.m. on August 24th.
There's plenty of activities for all ages, including a cornhole festival and live entertainment.
And of course, there's plenty of local vendors selling produce and helping to support the local economy.
