Record Breaking Carnival
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Record-setting watermelons were on display during the 56th annual Watermelon Carnival Largest Watermelon Contest. Allen Rogers, center, claimed first place with “Jettie B.,” a record-setting 233.8-pound watermelon. Tom Hill placed second with a 186.1-pound melon, Roseanne, followed by Kenny Harmon in third with a 169.8-pound entry and Hal Vaughn in fourth with a 131.3-pound watermelon. Pictured are (from left) 2026 Gulf Coast Watermelon Queen Jennifer Diaz, Rogers, Hill, Harmon and 2026 Watermelon Queen Preslee Fischer.
WATER VALLEY — Their names are etched in Watermelon Carnival history.
Marty Bost. Jerry Vaughn. Hal Vaughn. And now, Allen Rogers.
Each raised the bar over the past two decades, growing bigger and bigger watermelons for the annual Largest Watermelon Contest.
This year, Rogers rewrote the record book.
His 233.8-pound giant became the largest watermelon ever entered in the competition, breaking the mark set in 2024 by Hal Vaughn’s 219.6-pound melon.
A break in the weather made for a beautiful evening at the Watermelon Carnival street dance.
Before Vaughn’s 2024 entry, Marty Bost’s 210.2-pound watermelon had stood as the carnival record for 18 years.
It may be years before Rogers’ record is surpassed.
The watermelon contest wasn’t the only place where records fell.
Tristan Bryan blazed through the BankFirst 3K Run/Walk in eight minutes, 12 seconds, becoming the fastest runner in carnival history. His twin brother, Samuel Bryan, crossed the finish line just three seconds later.
The annual race also set a participation record with 396 runners and walkers.
Another record came Friday night during the popular Watermelon Drop. The 177-pound watermelon provided by Allen Rogers was the largest ever used in the event since it was added to the carnival lineup in 2019. After Watermelon Queen Preslee Fischer gave the giant melon a nudge from the bucket truck, it exploded on impact. Official Watermelon Splat Measurer Tyler Hill recorded the farthest flying fragment at 134.5 feet.
Opening ceremonies and the Watermelon Drop were delayed about an hour after storms swept across the state. Fortunately, the rain eased, temperatures cooled and the weather cooperated for the Street Dance and fireworks. Saturday also brought a welcome breeze that made conditions more comfortable for runners, vendors and carnivalgoers before typical August heat returned later in the afternoon.
The record book may remember the numbers. Most people will remember something else – a cold watermelon slice.
When Cayce Washington and his family began handing out free watermelon Saturday afternoon, City Park almost seemed to pause.
By Washington’s estimate, about 1,200 generous slices were served in roughly an hour. That came from 100 watermelons that had been chilled and hundreds of pounds of ice. There were plenty for anyone who wanted seconds.
The carnival earned praise from both longtime attendees and first-time visitors.
Steven Wells, a 1968 Water Valley High School graduate who has attended the carnival for decades, called the North Mississippi Herald Monday morning to say he thought the fellowship was stronger than ever.
First-time vendors Dennis Perry and Johnny McNamara agreed.
The pair, owners of Iron Skillet Brittle, travel to about a dozen festivals each year selling skillet-cooked peanut, pecan and jalapeño brittle. By early afternoon Saturday, it appeared they would sell out.
Perry believes what sets the Water Valley carnival apart is the people he met during the weekend and the variety of vendors.
“There’s such a variety,” Perry said. “A lot of festivals don’t have the variety. If the variety isn’t there, the people aren’t there, and the sales aren’t there.”
McNamara added that their skillet-cooked brittle is unique in Mississippi.
Both men agreed Water Valley’s Watermelon Carnival ranks among the best festivals they have attended, even topping the Mississippi Watermelon Festival in Mize.
More importantly, both said they plan to return.
Dennis Perry (left) and Johnny McNamara, owners of Iron Skillet Brittle, made their first appearance at the Watermelon Carnival. By Saturday afternoon, the pair expected to sell out of their skillet-cooked peanut, pecan and jalapeño brittle.
