On June 19-22, Brooke traveled to Hampton for the annual Hampton Watermelon
Festival. She was joined there by Esther Chappell and Gracen Vaughn who rode
in the parade with our Queen. During the weekend, Brooke visited Coosaw
Farms, Williams Farms, Kinard Farms and F.H. Dicks Company. We also had the
pleasure of having Kendra Kennedy join us for the farm visits.
June 28, found us at the S.C. Farmers Market where Brooke passed out delicious
watermelon slices of cool watermelon. Brooke spent July 4th and 5th in Daytona
Beach, Florida with Florida Coordinator, Debra Harrison and Florida Watermelon
Queen, Megan Morgan. The group served watermelon at the NASCAR race
where Ross Chastain was a driver. They also had an in-store Bi-Lo promotion in
Orlando, Florida.
On July 3-6, Emily Dicks filled in while Brooke was in Florida at our annual
Charleston River Dogs promotional weekend. Three in-store promotions were
completed in the Charleston area and then Emily joined Matt Cornwell, Rusty Kinard, Benny Hughes, Chris Cortez and Dr. Tony Keinath for the huge watermelon
cutting at the River Dogs Stadium. As in years past, this was a very successful
promotion for the S.C. Watermelon Association and Emily did a wonderful job as
our queen for the event.
The Blackville Field Day on July 10th, brought in a record crowd. Brooke had a
wonderful time with our growers and visitors. She especially enjoyed going into
the field and learning all of the up to date growing information on our product.
Gilbert Miller did an outstanding job of planning this year’s event. On July 11-12,
Brooke was in Bluffton and Hilton Head working with Food Lion and Walmart.
The Pageland Watermelon Festival parade was held on July 19th. Brooke was
honored to ride in the parade as the S.C. Watermelon Queen. After the parade,
we were able to meet with Billy Jenkins and his family for a short visit and many
pictures. Billy and his family had numerous entries in the parade and all of the
Jenkins grandchildren were able to participate.
The MarDel Queen Tour took place on July 30-August 2. Queen Coordinator,
Caitlin Givens did a great job of coordinating all of the events for those in attendance. The events were an interview with Froggy 99.9, watermelon slices on
Rehoboth Boardwalk, Giant Foods, Laurel Auction Market, Annapolis Crab Feast,
and Whole Foods. We were also treated to a wonderful lunch at Melon 1 with the
Lapide family. Thanks go to Patty Lapide Oesterle and Alisa Lapide for taking the
time to join us at several events and also for planning the delicious lunch.
In August, the S.C. Watermelon
Association provided watermelon slices to The Clemson
Tigers, The USC Gamecocks,
The Citadel Bulldogs, The
South Carolina State Bulldogs
and The Presbyterian Blue Hose.
Thanks go to Brooke Bell, our
first runner-up for filling in at
the Presbyterian and Clemson
cuttings.
Summers Slaton McBride
and Brooke attended the
Schutzenfest Festival in
Ehrhardt, S.C. on August
15-16. After the parade,
Brooke and Summers were
treated to lunch by Rusty
Kinard at Rusty & Paula’s
Restaurant in Bamberg, S.C.
Brooke and I are looking
forward to the upcoming
events in September and
October – Legislative Visits
in Washington, D.C., the S.C.
State Fair with Joe Poon,
PMA in Anaheim, CA., and
The Marine Marathon in
Washington, D.C.
Another wonderful watermelon
year is coming to a close. We
sincerely hope that it has been
a profitable and fulfilling one
for each and every one of you.
Our blessings go out to our
watermelon family as we
approach the Holiday Season!
Ann Bryant
S.C. Promotions Coordinator
abryant028@charter.net
864-303-3995
Visiting at Coosaw Farms in Fairfax, S.C.
Brooke with Commissioner Weathers at the
S.C. Farmers Market.
Melon always steals the show at F.H. Dicks Company in
Barnwell, S.C.
Esther, Brooke and Gracen riding the Cinderalla Coach in
Hampton, S.C.
Blackville Field Day, Blackville, S.C.
Laurel Farmers Market, Laurel Delaware.
Pageland Watermelon Festival, Pageland, S.C.
Rehoboth Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Ready to serve the crowds at the River Dog Baseball game.
The Jenkins Family with one of their parade entries.
The Hampton Watermelon Festival. The River Dogs
mascot with Emily.
Checking out the melons with Rusty Kinard at Kinard Farms
in Lodge, S.C.
Brooke looking at all of the mounds of blue crab at the
Crab Feast, Annapolis, Maryland.
Meeting with Mark Williams at
Williams Farms in Islandton, S.C.
Emily Dicks at a Bi-Lo promotion in Charleston, S.C.
Steve Spurrier looks forward to meeting the
Watermelon Queen, Brooke Allender.
What a tiny person among all of the giants at
The Citadel in Charleston, S. C.
Brooke Bell meeting the Clemson Tigers.
18. What a tiny person among all of the giants at The
Brooke Bell with Presbyterian College
Head Coach, Harold Nichols.