North Carolina Watermelon Festival facts for kids
The North Carolina Watermelon Festival is a fun yearly event that celebrates the amazing watermelon! It first started way back in 1957 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Later, in 1985, the festival moved to Murfreesboro, North Carolina, where it has been held ever since. This exciting festival includes a famous seed-spitting contest, a special crowning of a "Miss Watermelon" or "Watermelon Queen," and awards for the biggest and best watermelons grown. Please note, there was no festival planned in 2020.
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Festival Fun and Activities
The North Carolina Watermelon Festival is a four-day event packed with many exciting things to do for all ages. It's a great way to enjoy summer and celebrate this delicious fruit!
What to See and Do
- A lively parade with floats and music.
- Musical performances from local bands and artists.
- A delicious food festival where you can try many tasty treats, often featuring watermelon!
- Exciting carnival rides for thrills and fun.
- Craft sales where you can find unique handmade items.
- A 5 km run for those who like to stay active.
- The famous watermelon-seed spitting contest, where people try to spit a seed the farthest!
- The special crowning of the Watermelon Princesses.
- A visit from the official North Carolina Watermelon Queen.
Festival Champions
Over the years, many people have become champions at the North Carolina Watermelon Festival, whether for growing giant watermelons or spitting seeds the farthest!
Giant Watermelon Growers
Farmers work hard to grow the biggest watermelons for the festival. Here are some of the record holders:
- In 1970, Ed Weeks grew a huge watermelon weighing 118 lb (53.52 kg; 8.43 st).
- In 2004, Adam Worley set a new record with a watermelon that weighed 195.5 lb (88.68 kg; 13.96 st)!
Watermelon Queens
Each year, a Watermelon Queen or Miss Watermelon is crowned, representing the festival and the community.
- 1966: Eleanor Brantley
- 1986: Whitney Cuthbertson
- 2003: Tracy Lynn Register
- 2009: Kensley Leonard
- 2014: Breanna Williams
Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest
The seed spitting contest is one of the most popular and fun events at the festival! People try to spit a watermelon seed as far as they can.
- In 1963, Wally Ausley spit a seed 35 ft 06 in (10.82 m).
- In 1970, John "Speedy" Adams spit a seed 29 ft (8.84 m).
- In 2004, Kristin Cucci was a champion.
