July 7, 2017 - Album - This has been a good year for watermelons in Shelby County with sixteen of the twenty-six watermelon entries weighing over 100 pounds according to Mayor David Chadwick who was the official weigh-in judge!
In 2015 none of the watermelon entries tipped the 100 pound mark and in 2016 only four of the entries exceeded the triple digits. Both of those years Doug Cogswell of Joaquin took home the big prize money. However, the Johnson Family took back bragging rights and the cash winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Olivia Johnson who held the 1st place title for five years in a row, 2009-2013, regained the 1st place slot.
Royce Johnson, a relative of the top three growers, said in 20 years of participating in What-A-Melon he hasn't seen this many big melons at one time. Mother nature has been good this year with the right amount of rain as too much rain was the culprit in 2015 causing only low weights and half the entries. This year it even rained during the weigh-in.
The Rotary Club of Center presented over $5,000 in prize money. Emcee for the watermelon weigh-in was Jason Balkcom, past-president of the club and festival chairperson. He announced the results throughout the event and the prize money was presented to the winning growers by Texas Watermelon Queen Chloe Brown.
A special thank you goes to 936 Crossfit for coming out to help with moving the large number of heavy entries.
Shelby Savings Bank, City of Center, and Focused Care of Center are Platinum Sponsors for the festival. Deep East TX Electric Coop, East Texas Poultry Supply, and Farmers State Bank are Gold Sponsors for the festival.
Watermelon Weigh-in Results
1st place and $2,500 - (melon #27) Olivia Johnson, 142.50 lbs
2nd place and $600 - (melon #30) Jenny Johnson, 136.00 lbs
3rd place and $500 - (melon #33) Louise Johnson, 135.25 lbs
4th place - (melon #7) Rex Rains, 127.00 lbs
5th place - (melon #28) Renee Johnson, 125.25 lbs
6th place - (melon #34) Faith Kruebbe, 121.00 lbs
7th place - (melon #29) Shelby Johnson, 120.25 lbs
8th place - (melon #31) Catch Bragg, 119.75 lbs
9th place - (melon #32) Dylan Jones, 118.50 lbs
10th place - (melon #26) Cherish Bragg, 114.00 lbs
11th place - (melon #3) Dylan Lout, 111.00 lbs
11th place - (melon #35) Hope Kruebbe, 111.00 lbs
12th place - (melon #2) Ali Brooke Lout, 107.50 lbs
13th place - (melon #24) Doug Cogwell, 106.00 lbs
14th place - (melon #8) Sophia Rains, 105.00 lbs
14th place - (melon #19) Will Lucas, 105.00 lbs
15th place - (melon #4) Shad Lout, 96.00 lbs
15th place - (melon #11) Jaleigh Johnson, 96.00 lbs
16th place - (melon #14) Whitney Johnson, 93.25 lbs
17th place - (melon #10) Tate Johnson, 93.00 lbs
18th place - (melon #9) Hali Simpson, 87.00 lbs
19th place - (melon #1) Casey Lout, 84.00 lbs
20th place - (melon #23) Lexie Bliss Terrell, 81.00 lbs
21st place - (melon #6) Colby Lout, 79.25 lbs
22nd place - (melon #5) Eli Lout, 79.00 lbs
23rd place - (melon #25) Amber Terrell, 77.00 lbs
Past years 1st place melons
2016 - Weighed 112.00 lbs, Doug Cogswell of Joaquin (Cogswell Wins Largest Watermelon Competition at 2016 WAM Festival)
2015 - Weighed 96.00 lbs, Doug Cogswell of Joaquin (Cogswell Wins Largest Watermelon Contest; Melon Weights Low Due to Rain)
2014 - Weighed 144.00 lbs, Jimmy Matthews of Joaquin
2013 - Weighed 163.25 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2012 - Weighed 168.75 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2011 - Weighed 146.5 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2010 - Weighed 147.00 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2009 - Weighed 153.25 lbs, Olivia Johnson of Center
2008 - Weighed 151.75 lbs, Darrell Matthews of Joaquin
