Source: NCDA&CS, 7/27/15

The State Farmers Market is looking for local watermelon growers to submit entries to its Largest Watermelon Contest. The exhibition will be part of the market’s annual Watermelon Day on July 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“This year’s high temperatures and low precipitation have helped North Carolina’s watermelon crop,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Many growers are expecting a better year than 2014, so there will be a lot to celebrate at Watermelon Day.”

The grower with the heaviest watermelon will win $1,000. The second-heaviest melon will earn $500, the third-heaviest will earn $300 and the fourth-heaviest will earn $200.

All entries must be from North Carolina, and growers must be prepared to identify where the watermelon was grown. Melons should be free of decay and soft spots, and stems should be trimmed to 3 inches. Only one entry per person will be allowed. Entries will be accepted until 11:30 a.m. All entries will become the property of the State Farmers Market following the weigh-in.
Spectators are invited to watch the weigh-in, which will take place at noon. Other Watermelon Day activities will include a visit from the 2015 N.C. Watermelon Queen and free watermelon slices for visitors. There also will be plenty of fresh watermelons and watermelon products available for purchase from market vendors.

Watermelon Day is sponsored by the N.C. Watermelon Association, State Farmers Market Restaurant, Ford’s Produce, R&H Produce and the State Farmers Market. 

Considering this year’s good growing conditions, organizers are wondering whether a new record could be set in the watermelon contest. The current record belongs to H.C. Williams of Bailey. His 2012 watermelon weighed 232 pounds.
More information about Watermelon Day is available at www.statefarmersmarket.org.