Banana Festival Sept. 13-20; week-long events scheduled

The 2025 Banana Festival is just under a month away, and the schedule has been set to “Boot Scootin Bananas” Sept. 13-20 in Fulton, Ky. and South Fulton, Tenn.

Beginning on Sat., Sept. 13, the Fulton Police Department Pistol and Turkey Shoot starts at 8 a.m. at the PD Range on Park Road. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., for entry and fee submissions.

At 9 a.m. the Banana Festival Beauty Pageant registration starts at 8 a.m. at Fulton High School, with registration and fees accepted in advance and at the door.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 13, Kids’ Day takes place at Pontotoc Park, as well as Touch a Truck on Lake Street. All those events are free for family participation.

Photography Contest entries will be accepted at the Pontotoc Community Center, downtown Fulton, and at 6 p.m., the Banana Soiree will begin at The Meadows Hotel, featuring dinner and a Live DJ for ticket holders.

Photo contest entries will continue to be accepted at the Pontotoc Center on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 1-5 p.m. and on Mon., Sept. 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fees apply. Entries will be available for public view Mon., Sept. 15 – Fri., Sept. 19, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sat., Sept. 20, at 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

On Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. a Ladies Night Event, Fifth Annual Peace, Love & Foliage will take place at Pontotoc Park, for ticket holders, and Tues., Sept. 16, school student art contest judging will be underway, as entries will be accepted until 11 a.m.

Also on Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Banana Bake Off entry drop off is at Fancy Fannie’s Bakery, 422 Lake St., Fulton, with judging at 5 p.m. and winners announced at 6 p.m.

At 5 p.m. on Tues., Sept. 16, BBQ sandwiches and nachos will be available for purchase at Pontotoc Park.

At 5:30 p.m. The Amazing Banana Race/Scavenger Hunt for ages 12-18 (Individual or Groups) will be held at Fulton’s Pontotoc Park and South Fulton’s Unity Park.

At 6 p.m., a State Line Dance will be held on State Line Road under the Twin Cities sign.

At 4:30 p.m., Wed., Sept. 17, Faith and Family Night activities, presented by the Ministerial Alliance will commence, Kicking off with prayer at 4:30 and the Tyson Foods Community meal at 5 p.m. at Pontotoc Park.

The Chalk Art contest will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on South Fulton’s Unity Park walking trail. The Kiddie Parade will get underway at 6 p.m. and entertainment from local churches and the Ministerial Alliance will perform at 7 p.m. at Unity Park.

Vendors will begin set-up downtown Thurs., Sept. 18 at 9 a.m., with a free event for senior citizens at Pontotoc Commuity Center at 9 a.m.

First Community Bank of the Heartland, Broadway in South Fulton will host the 5 p.m. Hot Wheel Derby Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. on the Unity Park stage, Fulton’s Got Talent is scheduled.

At 6 p.m., a bourbon tasting event hosted by Jackson Purchase Distillery will take place at The Meadows Hotel, and beginning at 7 p.m., Twin Cities’ Got Talent will take place at Unity Park in South Fulton.

Friday, Sept. 19 events include the Health Fair from 9-11 a.m. at Fulton’s First Baptist Church, sponsored by the Fulton County Extension Office, vendors downtown beginning at 9 a.m., kids activities from 4-10 p.m., and entertainment on the Unity Park stage starting at 4:30 p.m., with 2024 Fulton’s Got Talent winner Marissa Luna kicking off the event, followed by performances by impersonators of Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton, and Garth Brooks.

The night will conclude with Kelsey Hart, the headliner of the evening, sponsored by Jackson Purchase Distillery.

Sat., Sept. 20 starts off with the Rotary Club Car Show on Lake Street, downtown Fulton from 8-11:30 a.m., vendors downtown and the Kiwanis Club cornhole tournament underway at the Farmers Market at 9 a.m.

The day continues with the Banana Eating Contest at 10 a.m. in front of the Lake Street bandstand; the Banana Brawl wrestling at 11 a.m with special guests, and kids activities from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. downtown.

The Doggy Pageant will be held on the Pontotoc Park stage at 2 p.m. and the Lions Club Grande Parade starts at 4 p.m., with the serving of the one-ton banana pudding to be served at the end of the parade.

Entertainment starts at 6 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 20, at Unity Park, with the 2025 Twin Cities’ Got Talent winner opening, followed by the Matt Boone Band at 7 p.m., and the headliner Rodney Atkins at 8:30 p.m.

The Banana Cabana store will be open Tuesday -Friday 5-9pm and Saturday 11am-10pm. Banana Pudding will be available for purchase at the Cabana all week.

For more information, visit the festival website at www.visitfultonky.com, or call the Fulton Tourism Commission at 270-472-9000.