Community is at the heart of the Howell Melon Festival.

For generations, the festival has brought neighbors, families, businesses, and community organizations together to celebrate Howell and the people who help make it a wonderful place to live, work, play, and raise a family.

This year, Great Start Livingston has two very special reasons to celebrate: Great Start Livingston was named the 2026 Howell Melon Festival Community Partner, and our own Family Liaison, Breanne Green, was selected as a 2026 Melon Court honoree.

Both recognitions celebrate something we believe deeply at Great Start Livingston: strong communities are built through connection, collaboration, service, and creating places where everyone has an opportunity to belong.

Play. Grow. Belong.

At Howell Recreation, the mission is to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to Play, Grow, and Belong.

Each year, Melon Court Royalty honors individuals whose service, leadership, and commitment to others embody that spirit. Howell Recreation also recognizes an organization that supports its mission and demonstrates those same values throughout the community.

Those values have a natural connection to the work of Great Start Livingston.

Our purpose is building community connections that support families with young children. We work alongside parents, caregivers, schools, early childhood providers, libraries, health professionals, businesses, nonprofits, and other community partners to help children and families connect, learn, grow, and thrive.

Livingston County is home to more than 11,000 children ages birth to five, and families and communities play critical roles in helping children develop, prepare for school, and build a strong foundation for life.

Meet the 2026 Melon Court Honorees

This year’s Melon Court Royalty recognizes community members whose leadership, volunteerism, advocacy, and service make Howell stronger.

Samantha Whitehead – Melon Court Honoree

Samantha Whitehead was recognized for creating opportunities for neighbors to connect, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and supporting local businesses throughout the Howell community.

As founder of the Howell Run Club, Samantha has inspired residents to get active while building friendships and strengthening community connections.

Her commitment to service extends beyond her community involvement. Samantha also serves as a commissioned officer in the Michigan National Guard, demonstrating leadership, dedication, and selfless service both at home and in uniform.

“Samantha brings people together in a way that makes our community stronger, healthier, and more connected.”

Breanne Green – Melon Court Honoree

Great Start Livingston is especially proud to celebrate our Family Liaison, Breanne Green, as a member of the 2026 Melon Court.

Breanne was recognized for her community service and advocacy, particularly her work to make Howell more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for people of all abilities.

She has been a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities and a champion for parks, public spaces, and outdoor opportunities that allow more members of the community to participate, connect, and belong.

In her professional role with Great Start Livingston, Breanne works alongside families, schools, and community organizations to connect parents and caregivers with resources, information, developmental supports, and opportunities for their young children. Her work also focuses on elevating parent voice and helping families take an active role in the early childhood system.

During the Melon Social, Breanne reflected on how even small acts of service can strengthen a community:

“Seeing everybody here in support—even if I don’t know you—I know that everybody in this community loves each other. A small act of volunteering really makes a difference for your friends and neighbors.”

It is a message we hope families will carry with them: you do not have to do something enormous to make your community better.

Volunteering, helping a neighbor, joining a community activity, sharing your voice, supporting another parent, or simply showing up can make a difference. And when children see adults contributing to their communities, we are also showing the next generation what it means to care for the place they call home.

Great Start Livingston Named 2026 Community Partner

The celebration was doubly meaningful when Great Start Livingston was also named the 2026 Howell Melon Festival Community Partner.

Each year, Howell Recreation recognizes an organization that not only supports its mission but also brings the values of Play, Grow, and Belong to life throughout the community.

Through partnerships with Howell Recreation, local businesses, schools, libraries, early childhood programs, community organizations, and families themselves, Great Start Livingston helps create welcoming spaces, meaningful programs, and memorable experiences that allow children and families to connect, learn, and thrive.

Our work can take many forms:

• Family playdates and community events
• Parent Cafés and opportunities for caregiver connection
• Early literacy activities and book distribution
• StoryWalks throughout Livingston County
• Developmental screenings and connections to early childhood resources
• Kindergarten transition and school-readiness efforts
• Family leadership and parent voice
• Community partnerships that help reduce gaps and connect families with support

But the common thread is always connection.

Great Start Livingston is a collaborative, and our work is possible because organizations and families throughout Livingston County choose to work together.

“Great Start Livingston understands that the strongest communities are built when organizations work together in service of others.”

Accepting the recognition on behalf of Great Start Livingston, Coordinator Robin Schutz expressed gratitude for the partnerships that make the work possible, including local businesses, Howell Recreation, the Downtown Development Authority, and many other organizations and community members.

The award belongs not only to our team, but also to the parents, caregivers, volunteers, partners, and community organizations who share ideas, lend their voices, collaborate, and help strengthen the early childhood system throughout Livingston County.

Celebrating Together at the Howell Melon Social

The 2026 honorees were celebrated during the Howell Melon Social on August 8 at the historic Howell Opera House.

The evening brought together friends, families, local leaders, businesses, organizations, and neighbors to recognize the people and partnerships that help strengthen the community.

With dinner, desserts, raffles, music, dueling pianos, laughter, and plenty of community spirit, the Melon Social was a wonderful way to kick off Melon Festival week.

For Great Start Livingston, having both our organization and one of our Family Liaisons recognized made the evening especially memorable.

Bring the Family to the 66th Annual Howell Melon Festival

And the celebration is not over yet!

The 66th Annual Howell Melon Festival takes place August 13–16, 2026, in downtown Howell.

The festival is one of Howell’s favorite community traditions and offers families plenty of opportunities to spend time together, explore downtown, enjoy entertainment, support local businesses, and make memories.

Festival activities include live entertainment, food and vendors, the Howell Melon Run, downtown activities, community events, and—of course—famous Howell Melon Ice Cream.

For some of the youngest festival-goers, there is also the beloved Melon Roll, giving children ages 2–5 the opportunity to roll a melon toward the finish line and take their melon home afterward.

Building a Community Where Families Belong

Being recognized through the Melon Court and Community Partner awards is an incredible honor, but what these recognitions represent is even more meaningful.

Community is something we build together.

It happens when organizations collaborate instead of working alone.

It happens when families know where to turn when they have questions or need support.

It happens when people of different ages and abilities can participate.

It happens when parents and caregivers know their voices matter.

And it happens every time someone chooses to volunteer, help a neighbor, welcome a new family, share information, or simply show up.

Thank you to Howell Recreation for recognizing Great Start Livingston and Breanne Green, and congratulations to Samantha Whitehead and all those being celebrated as part of this year’s Howell Melon Festival.

We are proud to be part of a community committed to helping people Play, Grow, and Belong.

We’ll see you at the Melon Festival!

66th Annual Howell Melon Festival
August 13–16, 2026
Downtown Howell