HOPE – Continuing the legacy of one of the Watermelon Festival’s most treasured events, the Seed Spitting Competition was held at 2:00 pm on the Hope Public Schools stage on Saturday. Contestants use all of their seed spitting training to shoot their shot for the win. The seed spitting competition is one of the original Watermelon Festival events, being a highlight of the weekend since 1977. In that year, Wayne Johnson of Hope defeated Mrs. Haskell Jones for the first title. At this year’s event, light rain fell throughout and made the competition more challenging. The rain was hard enough that it was difficult to keep clear records of each spit. Participants were divided into the same age categories as in the Watermelon Eating Contest. During the contest, the competitors were given three seeds to attempt to spit the farthest across the stage, winning the event. After flinging seeds through the air, here are your winners:
Ages 0-7 Leaders:
1st – Maverick Agnes (Shreveport, LA)
2nd – Cooper Landes
3rd – Brooklynn Escapita
Ages 8-16 Leaders:
1st – Jayden Jackson (Washington, AR)
2nd – Bronson Agnes
3rd – James Landes
Ages 17 & Up Leaders:
1st – Johnny Pittman (Russellville, AR) – With a spit of 29ft 2in
2nd – Kimberly Burkhalter
3rd – Fernando Escapita
Overall World Grand Champion:
Jayden Jackson
Pictures provided by event emcee Dave Phillips
Pictured: 17 & Up Johnny Pittman, Kimberly Burkhalter, and Fernando Escapita
Pictured: Overall Winner Jayden Jackson presenting his trophies with his family