FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, AUG. 4, 2008
| CONTACT: |
Monica Wood, marketing specialist
State Farmers Market
(919) 733-7417
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Growers compete for title at Watermelon Day
Aug. 7 at State Farmers Market
RALEIGH — Local growers will compete at the State Farmers Market’s Watermelon Day Thursday, Aug. 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the honor of the state’s largest watermelon while visitors enjoy free slices of melon with the N.C. Watermelon Queen.
“It’s not summer without a fresh slice of North Carolina watermelon,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The growers who raise these giant melons take the competition seriously and pay special attention to them during the growing cycle."
The competition will begin at 11 a.m. in the Farmers Building. All entries must be grown in North Carolina, and growers must be able to identify what area each watermelon is from. Winners will be determined by weight, with cash prizes for the top four fruits:
- First place, $600
- Second place, $400
- Third place, $300
- Fourth place, $200
For younger fans of the juicy fruit, a watermelon eating contest will test their chomping chops.
Registration begins at 11 a.m. in the Farmers Building for a chance to compete. Thirty speed-eaters will be drawn out of a hat at noon to compete for first- and second-place trophies and State Farmers Market gift baskets.
Watermelon Day is sponsored by the N.C. Watermelon Association, the State Farmers Market Restaurant, R&H Produce and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For complete contest information, visit www.ncagr.com/markets/facilities.
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