JERSEYVILLE – A full day of family fun comes to Jerseyville this Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 for Jersey County’s 250th Jubilee, bringing the city’s first-ever watermelon eating contest, a pickleball tournament and much more.
Wock Lake Color Run
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The festivities start early at 7 a.m. with a Color Run at Wock Lake. Runners may arrive wearing white, but are sure to leave more colorful as they get showered in colored powder and cheers from the sidelines.
The first 40 adult entrants and first 40 participants under 12 will get free “race kits” complete with colored powder, sunglasses, a bandana and a bracelet. However, participants are under no pressure to race – attendees of all ages can go at their own pace and catch some color along the way.
Free coffee, juice and donuts will be provided for all Color Run attendees. Registration is $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the event, with online registration available here.
USA 250 Pickleball Tournament
The City of Jerseyville and the Jerseyville Players Club are teaming up to host the USA 250 Pickleball Tournament while raising money for a good cause. The one-day, mixed-doubles event is set for Sept. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Due to an expected high heat index, the tournament will be held indoors at the Susnig Center at 401 Mound St. in Jerseyville.
The tournament will be divided by skill level, with medals awarded to the top three finishers in each level. Players at skill levels of 3.0 and 3.5 will start at 9 a.m. with 4.0 skill level players starting at 12 p.m.; all participants are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to their check-in time.
The winning 3.0 level team will receive a Jersey County Business Association gift card, while the winning teams at levels 3.5 and 4.0 will earn $100 prizes. Additional prizes will be awarded to teams best celebrating the theme of the nation’s 250th birthday.
Registration is $25 per 3.0 level player and $30 per player at levels 3.5 and 4.0. Online registration and more information is available here.
Once the prize money has been awarded, all other proceeds from ticket sales will support the Honor Flight Network, a nonprofit organization which celebrates veterans from the local area and beyond by taking them on a free, honorary flight to visit Washington D.C.
First-Ever Jerseyville Watermelon Eating Contest
The first Watermelon Eating Contest ever held in Jerseyville is taking place at Wittman Park on Sept. 5 from 12 to 1 p.m. A Seed Spitting Contest is being held at the same time and location for those still full from the free Color Run donuts.
Watermelon-eating contestants will be given a quarter watermelon slice before they race against each other and the clock to be the first to reach the rind. Seed spitters will pick a seed from an officially designated “Seed-Spitting Watermelon” before stepping up to the line and testing their long distance seed-spitting skills.
Both contests carry a $5 entry fee, and prize ribbons will be awarded to winners in each age group. Online registration is available here.
Splash Pad Fun, Live Music At Wittman Park
While the pickleball tournament may have moved indoors, there will still be plenty of family fun at Wittman Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the 250th Jubilee.
Starting at 11 a.m, the Jerseyville Splash Pad at Wittman Park will be open. Kids aiming to stay dry can enjoy an on-site bounce house, while attendees of all ages can eat from various food pop-ups. Country, rock and more live music will also be provided by Backwoods Burden Band.
