Vineline Newsletter

South Carolina Report

July was a very busy month with in-store promotions throughout Myrtle Beach, N. Myrtle Beach, Pawley’s Island and Murrell’s Inlet. The vacation crowds were heavy and the melons were flying out of the bins.

On July 9th, we attended the Blackville Field Day in Blackville, SC. Dr. Gilbert Miller did an outstanding job as usual with the events of the day. Clemson President, James P. Clements, was the featured speaker. Another highlight of the field tour was a drone demonstration that had everyone captivated with the capabilities of this small flying machine.

On July 10th, the SCWA and SC Department of Agriculture cut watermelons for over 2,500 spectators at the River Dogs Baseball Game in Charleston, SC. Commissioner Hugh Weathers sang the National Anthem and the Watermelon Queen threw out the first pitch of the game. As the temperatures soared in Charleston, the watermelons were a refreshing break for the spectators.

On July 18th, we attending the Pageland Watermelon Festival in Pageland, SC. Second-Runner Up, Sarah Yarborough from Jefferson, SC., represented the SCWA for this event. Although the weather was hot and humid, everyone attending the festival had a wonderful time.

Brooke Allender, 2015 SCWQ, attended the Syngenta event in Greensboro, NC, on Thursday, July 30th. Brooke enjoyed visiting the plant and also passing out samples to all of the employees at the huge barbeque that was held on the lawn for employees and family. Ross Chastain was also in attendance and had the watermelon race car there as well. Many thanks to the Chastain family for their participation in this special event.

Emily Dicks attended the Schutzenfest Festival in Ehrhardt, SC, where she road in the parade and visited with the people of Ehrhardt on Saturday, August 15th. Rusty Kinard treated us to a delicious lunch at Rusty and Paula’s in Bamberg, SC after the festival. Many thanks Rusty, we always look forward to visiting your restaurant.

August brought the football cuttings for Clemson, USC and The Citadel. Matt Cornwell from the SC Department of Agriculture brought his crew in to cut the melons for these events. October will bring the SC State Fair as well as PMA in Atlanta, GA. Chef Joe Poon will be joining us this year in the SC Booth at PMA. We are excited to announce that the

2016 SC Convention will be held in Charleston, SC, at the Francis Marion Hotel on January 15-17. We hope that you will be able to attend and enjoy this new venue with us in the Holy City of Charleston.