The Sweetest Slice

August is here but we’re not quite ready to let summer go. After all, we know the heat will be sticking around with us here in Southeast Georgia for a bit longer! We’re still looking for refreshing ways to cool off while still enjoying days of fun and sun. What better way than with watermelon? August 3 is National Watermelon Day, so it’s the perfect time to celebrate this quintessential sweet Southern treat.

Beloved American author and humorist Mark Twain was well-known for his love of watermelon. He sang the fruit’s praises in the novel Pudd'nhead Wilson, saying:

“The true Southern watermelon is a boon apart, and not to be mentioned with commoner things. It is chief of this world's luxuries, king by grace of God over all the fruits of the earth. When one has tasted it, he knows what the angels eat. It was not a Southern watermelon that Eve took: we know it because she repented.”

In the short story “Not Wasting a Watermelon,” Twain described enjoying the treat during a holiday when he was working as an apprentice in a newspaper office in Hannibal, Missouri. “I had one comfort, and it was a generous one while it lasted. It was the half of a long and broad watermelon, fresh and red and ripe.” The rest of that tale detailing the disposal of the empty shell of the fruit from a third-story window is one still relished and shared by the town’s residents. In the spirit of not wasting a watermelon, we’re going to savor every morsel of information we have about this delightful and delicious fruit.

While there’s no doubt that we associate watermelon with 4th of July picnics and All-American pastimes, this fruit is actually native to Africa and is enjoyed worldwide. They were known to be carried in the Kalahari Desert as a source of water as long as 5,000 years ago. According to historians, ancient Egyptians were cultivating watermelons in the Nile River Valley at least by 2,000 BCE as evidenced by paintings found on the walls of Egyptian tombs depicting their unmistakable size and shape. It was the Moors who brought watermelons to Europe around the eighth century. They likely picked up the fruit as they crossed Africa on their way to conquer Portugal and Spain. The Spaniards introduced them to the New World, where the warm climate made them wildly successful. The cooler climate in England and northern Europe meant that only those rich enough to have a greenhouse could grow the fruit, but in North America seeds passed from native tribe to native tribe until watermelons were flourishing throughout the Southern and Southwest states. Among early historical references to the fruit in America were the discovery of watermelons growing along the shores of the Mississippi River in 1673 by Jesuit missionary Pere Marquette and a description of large, luscious watermelons recounted by a tourist in colonial Virginia in 1732.

Once watermelon arrived in the United States, it’s disputed as to what region the origin of the fruit can be traced. If you search “Watermelon Capital of the World,” according to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, an Orlando-based non-profit organization formed in 1989 by watermelon growers and representing 700 growers, shippers, and importers nationwide, there are seven cities in the U.S. who lay claim to the title. Remarkably, all have some legitimate reasons to deserve the capital crown, and while many other foods have multiple cities locked in competition to claim top honors (our own Brunswick Stew being one of those), the sweet battle over watermelon may be the fiercest in the nation.

First and foremost we have one of the contenders right here in our home state. Cordele, Georgia is located in Crisp County, the top watermelon-producing county in the number two watermelon-producing state in U.S. In addition to having an auto-racing track called the Watermelon Capital Speedway, Cordele’s Watermelon Days Festival is the oldest festival in Georgia. It’s held annually in June and offers more than thirty activities, with something for everyone in the family. They hold the festival to honor the farmers, growers, brokers, and buyers because the watermelon industry is a tremendous economic engine for the local community.

According to the watermelon folks in Cordele, “Our title ‘Watermelon Capital of the World’ was challenged in the early ’90s by Hope, Arkansas, and Hempstead, Texas. The competition was tough, but Cordele-Crisp County proved that we truly have the best melons anywhere in the WORLD and proudly retained our title. Our melons were deemed as the crispest, juiciest, and sweetest. This is due to the hot, dry nights and the type of soil in Crisp County. Over 200 million pounds of melons are grown and shipped from our community each year.” Make your plans to visit Cordele for the next Watermelon Days Festival on June 22, 2024 for a slice of the fun!

Since Hope, Arkansas was mentioned, it’s worth noting that this is where some of the world’s largest watermelons are grown (including a world record holder in 2005). The town holds an annual watermelon festival and features watermelon in its municipal logo along with the Hope slogan, “A Slice of the Good Life.” It’s the tiny town of Green River, Utah (population 929); however, that is home to the “World’s Largest Watermelon.” The old wooden wedge is kept in storage in a hangar in the Green River Airfield and makes appearances at events like Green River’s annual Melon Days Festival.

Some Texas towns that have laid claim to the title include Weatherford and Naples. Weatherford is a north Texas city that was once one of the state’s biggest watermelon growers (not so much anymore) and featured an oversized watermelon sculpture outside its courthouse. Naples grows numerous watermelons, and the town has a watermelon festival that includes a rodeo. Yee-haw! But when it comes to watermelon festivals, the annual Rush Springs Watermelon Festival in Rush Springs, Oklahoma may be one of the biggest. It’s one of the state’s most popular festivals, attracting more than 20,000 visitors and serving nearly 50,000 pounds of watermelon each year! Beardstown, Illinois doesn’t have as worldly aspirations as the others, calling themselves only the “Watermelon Capital” without the “of the World” added to the moniker. Their claim isn’t without merit, the Illinois town is one of the most prolific watermelon-growers in the state. 

The United States typically ranges between fifth and eighth place in worldwide production of watermelon, with China being the most prolific commercial producer. China provides more than 60% of the world’s watermelon, followed by Turkey, India, and Egypt. Within the U.S., watermelons are mostly produced in southern States with harvest occurring during the late spring and summer months. Florida, Georgia, California, and Texas consistently lead the country in production. These four states alone accounted for 75% of the 3.4 billion pounds of watermelon produced domestically in 2021. With that kind of supply right here in our backyard, you can easily load up on this sweet summer delicacy at our local farmer’s markets, grocery stores, and produce stands.

THE GEORGIA WATERMELON CONNECTION

“Happiness in Every Bite! Eat It. Drink It. Love It.” That’s the message from the Georgia Watermelon Association. As one of the top watermelon producing states in the U.S., of course Georgia has its own watermelon industry association. The Georgia Watermelon Association was initially incorporated as the Georgia Watermelon Growers and Distributors Association in May 1968, but changed its name to better reflect the scope of its membership in 1977. They are a chapter of the National Watermelon Association and will hold their next annual convention (January 26-28, 2024) right here at The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island. It is at this annual convention that a Georgia Watermelon Queen is selected. During the summer months the queen tours the state by visiting supermarkets, welcome centers, festivals, and other points of interest, making appearances on television and radio, meeting with local and state officials, sales groups, and others to promote the Georgia watermelon industry. She also represents GWA at the annual National Watermelon Convention, competing for the title of the National Watermelon Queen.

Georgia Watermelon Queen Charley Lollis was on St. Simons Island greeting people who stopped by the GWA table to grab free watermelon slices during the 4th of July Sunshine Festival 5K Run. Charley is a graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communication and a minor in Agribusiness. She works as the Territory Sales Manager for AgBiome and enjoys visiting local farmers markets and other agritourism destinations. For more information about the Georgia Watermelon Association, the annual conference, the queen contest, the GA watermelon industry, and some yummy recipes, visit georgiawatermelonassociation.org.