236.9 lbs watermelon claims prize at weigh-off

WASHINGTON – The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth was at Historic Washington State Park Saturday, September 2nd, for the Watermelon Weigh-off, hosted by Old Washington Farmers’ Market, at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion. Judges were Hempstead County Extension Agent Kim Rowe, Park Employee Sheila Ballard, and Fireman/Forester Jon Barry.

The first-place winner was Joseph Young of Paducah, KY with a weight of 236.9 pounds for the $500 prize, second-place was Stephen Jackson from Spruce Pine, AL with a weight of 209.8 pounds, for the $300 prize, and the third-place adult winner was Barbara Bright Jones from Bossier City, LA, 196.5 pounds. The youth winner was Charles Meeh from Red Oak, OK, with a 122.9 pound melon. He was the only entry in the youth division, winning a prize of $75.

The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth’s (GPC) mission cultivates the hobby of growing giant pumpkins and other giant fruits throughout the world by establishing standards and regulations that ensure quality of fruit, fairness of competition, recognition of achievement, fellowship and education for all participating growers and weigh-off sites. This was the 13th year for the local event.