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Washington, AR USA

In Hope, Arkansas, home to the world’s largest watermelons and the annual Watermelon Festival, a watermelon is not a watermelon unless it weighs at least 100lbs – and that’s a small one

The Old Washington Farmers’ Market, in cooperation with the Hope/Hempstead Chamber of Commerce and Historic Washington State Park, will hold the first Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) sanctioned watermelon weigh off in the area on Saturday, September 3, 2011 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. behind Washington Town Hall in Washington, Arkansas.

Some folks grow watermelons for the table, and others grow them for the market. But there’s a third, more elite, class of watermelon growers whose only concern is the scale - Giant watermelon growers.The Bright family of Arkansas has brought a wonderful legacy to our area with their world record breaking watermelons and we honor their commitment and dedication to the watermelon heritage of Hope, Arkansas by holding a watermelon weigh-off in their own backyard.

Watermelon growers from all over the South are invited to participate. For more information, call 870.983.2443 or email oldwashingtonfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

Hey, let me know on the forum if you have any questiona or able to come. Stephanie

8/21/2011 8:39:51 PM

formerly RGG

Thanks for letting everyone know. I just wish I had a melon heavy enough to justify the long drive from Knoxville.

8/22/2011 8:02:23 AM

Muddy Waters

Im thinking about it!lol

8/22/2011 10:09:43 PM

Bowdon, GA

Going to see what mine is doing next week. I may make the drive.

8/22/2011 10:23:56 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

TPW, hope yer festival, and weighoff breaks new records...(Prbly means that Mr.(Superman) or Mrs. Kent will be there)!!! LOL Hopefully the festival will bring in bigger & bigger melons, now that you are GPC sanctioned!!! Peace, Wayne

8/23/2011 1:38:21 AM

The Holiday Inn Express in Hope would be a good choice for growers coming in on the night of Sept. 2nd. There is an unused fenced USDA security area adjacent to the Holiday Inn's parking lot. If you will bring melons in an open truck or trailer and want access to that area, I should be able to help you. You can email me at lbright268@suddenlink.net.

8/23/2011 12:23:00 PM

Washington, AR USA

Along with your giant watermelons, bring your friends and family. The event will be held right in the middle of Historic Washington State Park, check out the park online to see what else there is to see while there-
www.historicwashingtonstatepark.com. We look forward to having you all!

8/23/2011 2:01:07 PM

Muddy Waters

Whats the deadline for Check In??

8/23/2011 10:24:57 PM

Washington, AR USA

We will be weighing melons from 9- 1, I hope you guys can be there!

8/30/2011 1:20:40 PM

Muddy Waters

So deadline is 1 pm??? for entry???

8/31/2011 6:56:45 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

TPW,(Stephanie) a couple of modifications need to be made to your invitation...if you are GPC, then awl melons need to be weighed!!! Not just the one's from "all over the South"!! Some large melons are now bein grown in the Northern type states..LOL Am truly interested, but alas no Melon this year!!! Hope yer Weighoff is a Giant One!!! Peace, Wayne

9/1/2011 1:02:39 AM

formerly RGG

Wayne, I am sure the "all over the south" comment wasn't meant to exclude melons not from the south. I believe many of us are just not used to these contests attracting growers from great distances. Even if she had said "from all over the country" someone could have taken offense. Perhaps the Leonards from Canada might have wanted to take a vacation and travel to Hope for the contest. They may have taken offense at the suggestion that the contest was limited to growers from the United States.Most people wouldn't expect a watermelon weighoff to attract growers from hundreds of miles off. But it's a growing sport and a shrinking world so the only proper invitation would be to invite growers "from all over the world". But then who knows but what some little green watermelon grower man on Mars might be offended that the contest is limited to earth.lol

9/1/2011 8:36:31 AM

Muddy Waters

lol

9/1/2011 3:10:10 PM

Muddy Waters

PWs right!!!

9/1/2011 5:27:53 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I wish that we could make the weigh off, good luck to all that enter a fruit!
Tom & Kim

9/1/2011 5:55:19 PM