FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — It was a juicy, fun-filled day in Florence with watermelons taking center stage Saturday afternoon.
The Pee Dee State Farmers Market hosted a crowd-pleasing watermelon-eating contest, drawing young competitors from across the area.
Kids ages eight to 12 raced to see who could devour their slice the fastest, all for a chance to win prizes and take home a fresh, South Carolina-grown watermelon.
There was some royalty to the festivities; the 2024–2025 South Carolina watermelon queen, Gracen Vaughn, served as the official judge.
“I’ve been judging a few watermelon contests,” Vaughn said. “We’re sharing the first sweet bites of South Carolina-grown watermelons red, orange, and yellow varieties that are really grabbing attention. There are so many amazing vendors here too, and we’re just excited to be promoting local produce.”
The contests ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with participants being timed to see who could polish off their slice the most within two minutes.
Besides the contest, festivalgoers could enjoy fresh produce, plants, handmade gifts, and local goods, making it a perfect summer outing for the whole family.
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