South Fulton, Tenn., and Fulton, Ky.–The Twin Cities of South Fulton and Fulton are alive with the annual Banana Festival, which began with the beauty pageants and Special Needs Kids’ Days. The Twin Cities are the Home of the Largest Banana Pudding and everybody just goes bananas this week with bake-offs, making and eating the giant pudding, live music, a Banana race, the Tyson Community Feed, Doggie Pageant, Parade, and much more.
Headliners this year are Drake White and Blanco Brown. The highlight of the festival has always been the 1-ton Banana Pudding, deemed the world largest. After traveling in the parade the pudding is then distributed to hungry festival attendees.
Why do they have a Banana Festival in South Fulton and Fulton? In about 1880 the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad was the first to develop refrigerated cars. Suddenly those not living in tropical regions could have the same fruits year round that others enjoyed. Fulton, at the time, was home to a large railroad facility and became the redistribution point for the railroad because of its central location between New Orleans and Canada.
Some people wait all year for this festival. Be sure to map out your week so that you can attend all the festivities they have to offer and to help with that, the full updated schedule is included below:
I have the full updated schedule below with any changes so far. Each day I will post a reminder about that days events. Happy 2024 Banana Festival Week!
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Drop off
Photography Entries, Pontotoc Building
(Viewing Entries Monday – Friday 11 a.m. –
5 p.m., Sat 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
6:00 p.m. – Ladies Night Event
– “Fourth Annual Peace, Love, & Foliage Event”
– Pontotoc Park, Fulton (SOLD OUT)
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2024
School Art Contest Judging
Photo Contest Judging – (Entries will be accepted
Until 11:00 a.m.)
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Bake Off
Entry drop off at Fancy Fannie’s
422 Lake Street, Fulton KY
5:00 p.m. – Bake Off Judging
6:00 p.m. – Bake Off Winners Announced
5:30 p.m. – Banana Pudding Available for Purchase
(Benefitting Local Organizations and Non-Profits)
Pontotoc Park
5:30 p.m. – The Amazing Banana Race/Scavenger Hunt
Ages 12-18 (Individual or Groups) / Unity Park & Pontotoc Park
6:00 p.m. – Concert in the Park
Justin Wright and the Dirty Strings – Pontotoc Park
South Fulton Booster club will be selling concessions.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2024
3:30 p.m. – Faith and Family Night Activities
Presented by the Ministerial Alliance
4:30 p.m. – Banana Pudding Available for Purchase
(Benefitting Local Organizations and Non-Profits)
Pontotoc Park
5:00 p.m. – Tyson Foods – Community Meal
Pontotoc Park
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Banana Cabana
Pontotoc Building
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Chalk Art
Unity Park Walking Trail
6:00 p.m. – Kiddie Parade
7:00 p.m. – Bethel University Renaissance Bluegrass Band
Unity Park
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2024
9:00 a.m. – Vendors, Downtown
9:00 a.m. – Senior Citizens Activities
Pontotoc Building
4:30 p.m. – Banana Pudding Available for Purchase
(Benefitting Local Organizations and Non-Profits)
Pontotoc Park
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Banana Cabana
Pontotoc Building
5:00 p.m. – Hot Wheel Derby Hosted By FCB Bank
of The Heartland, South Fulton
7:00 p.m. – Fulton’s Got Talent
Unity Park, South Fulton
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Health Fair –
Fulton First Baptist Church sponsored
By Fulton County Extension Office
9:00 a.m. – Vendors, Downtown
4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Kids Activities Open ($)
4:30 p.m. – Banana Pudding Available for Purchase
(Benefitting Local Organizations and Non-Profits)
Pontotoc Park
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Banana Cabana
Pontotoc Building
Entertainment starts at 5:00pm at Unity Park
5:30 p.m. – Bailey Shemwell (2023 Fulton’s Got Talent Winner)
5:45 p.m. – Overwatch
7:30 p.m. – Headliner – Drake White
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2024
8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Rotary Club
Car Show, (Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.)
Downtown Lake Street ($)
9:00 a.m. – Vendors, Downtown
9:00 a.m. – Kiwanis Cornhole Tournament
The Ventures Village ($)
10:00 a.m. – Banana Eating Contest
Front of the Bandstand on Lake Street
11:00 a.m. – Banana Brawl – Pontotoc Park
11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Banana Cabana Open
Pontotoc Building
11:00 a.m. – 10 p.m. – Kids Activities Open ($)
11:00 a.m. – Dunking Booth to Benefit the Fulton
Dog Pound sponsored by Kayser – Pontotoc Park ($)
2:00 p.m. – Doggy Pageant – Pontotoc Stage ($)
(Registration starts at 1:30 p.m.)
4:00 p.m. – Lion’s Club GRANDE Parade, Starts at
Broadway So. Fulton to Lake Street Fulton
ONE TON BANANA PUDDING – Served in front
of the Meadows Hotel following parade
Entertainment starts at 6:00 p.m. at Unity Park
6:00 p.m. – Fulton’s Got Talent 2024 Winner
7:00 p.m. – Kimberlie Helton Band
8:30 p.m. – Headliner – Blanco Brown