Alan Rogers (left) holds a $100 check, prize money for Hal Vaughn’s (right) watermelon that was entered into a Kentucky contest. Vaughn’s melon weighs 211 pounds. The smaller melon (left) weighs 183 pounds. The melons are on display in front of the Herald office.
GUSTON, Ky. – A 211-pound watermelon grown by Hal Vaughn placed seventh in the Great Pumpkin Pursuit & Watermelon Weigh-Off at Roberts Family Farm in Guston, Ky.
Alan Rogers and his wife, Martha, made the 400-plus mile trip to the annual contest to meet some of the top watermelon growers in the nation with hopes to learn a few tips to share with growers back in Water Valley. They also carried Vaughn’s biggest melon to enter in the contest.
When Rogers arrived back home Monday there was a full de-briefing as he discussed tips from some of the world’s renowned growers with Vaughn. Both Vaughn and Rogers grow the giant Carolina Cross melons and are on a mission to attract more competitors in the annual watermelon contest held during the Watermelon Carnival in Water Valley each August. They hope to share their knowledge with new growers in the coming year. Vaughn has won first place in the carnival’s Watermelon Carnival melon contest five times counting this year’s tie.
