Watermelon Day at the State Farmers Market Thursday, Aug. 6

The State Farmers Market’s annual Watermelon Day might as well be called “What a melon!” Day, as the annual celebration will crown the state’s largest watermelon Thursday, Aug. 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors will also be able to sample fresh slices of watermelon, pick up recipes and meet the N.C. Watermelon Queen Kensley Leonard.

The weigh-in starts at noon in the Farmers Building, with cash prizes awarded to the top four fruits, including $600 for first, $400 for second, $300 for third and $200 for fourth place. All entries must be grown in North Carolina, and growers must be able to identify what area each watermelon is from. If you want to enter the contest, you can find complete contest information here.

If you pick up some melons, be sure to visit our marketing division’s watermelon menu ideas for some fun recipes like watermelon salsa, watermelon pie and watermelon muffins. Whether you stop by your local farmers market, roadside stand or grocery store, the N.C. Watermelon Association has some tips for selecting the very best melon:

• Choose a watermelon symmetrical in shape without dents, bruises and cuts.
• Thump, if you must (listen for dull hollow sound).
• Turn watermelon over. The underside should be creamy yellow with a healthy sheen to the rind.
• Store cut watermelons in refrigerator and cover cut surface loosely with plastic wrap. Uncut watermelons keep at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Watermelon Day is sponsored by the North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company.