Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Mark your calendars, because one of the largest events Jefferson County has to offer is almost here! In just a few short days, the Watermelon Festival events will begin, launched by the much-anticipated Watermelon Pageant.
This year marks the 74th Annual Watermelon Festival held by the Monticello- Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, and this year's festival theme is “In My Watermelon Era.” The festivities will include fan favorites like the Annual Bed Race, Kick-off Dinner and Block Party, Vendor Village, parade and so much more.
With all the excitement ahead, it all begins with the Watermelon Pageant, which will determine who will be crowned this year's Watermelon Royalty, and will set the stage for countless events and activities during the two-week-long festival. It all begins on Saturday, May 31, as Jefferson County's very own children and polished young women take to the stage at the old Jefferson County School Auditorium for a chance to become a part of the “royal family.”
Come out and show the younger contestants (3-12 years old) your support on the morning of May 31, at 10 a.m. Then follow that up by coming and supporting the older contestants (ages 13-15 and 16-21) as they compete for the titles of Teen Miss and Miss Watermelon Queen at 5 p.m. Tickets for each event can be purchased online or at the door.
This year's Teen Miss Watermelon Queen contestants are Maggie Walker, La’Vencia Chambers, Chloe Pitts and Maci Fendrick.
This year’s Miss Watermelon Queen contestants are Morgan McNeill, Bailey Cain, Aubrey Raker, Lily Hall, Heaven-Leigh Purvis, Rory Hall, Samiah Washington, Angela Williams and Kiley Donaldson.
The pageant will begin with a performance, which is customary for the beginning of the Miss and Teen Miss Pageant. This year's opening number is “In our watermelon era” … a dance through the decades.
Each contestant will then be given two to four minutes on stage to perform a talent show segment. Each contestant will choose for themselves what talent they wish to show the audience and must showcase said talent within the allotted time frame. After the talent segment is completed, the 13 girls will then compete in the casual wear/sportswear division, consisting of each girl modeling her “outfit of choice” and answering a personal interview question. Then the evening will transition to one of refinement, poise and elegance as the Miss and Teen Miss contestants don their best evening gowns and take to the stage once more to show their grace in their evening gown walk.
Roslyn Bass and Michelle Milligan will emcee this year's pageant.
While a good portion of their scoring depends on how each contestant performs during the pageant, they will also be scored on how each contestant presented herself during a private interview session hosted earlier in the afternoon, before the pageant began.
Once the judges have deliberated, awards will be given and the new 2025 Watermelon Festival royalty will be announced and crowned by last year's 2024 Junior Miss Watermelon Queen, Chrissy Lastinger and the 2024 Miss Watermelon Queen Maggie Boyd.
The new Miss 2025 Watermelon Queen will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship gifted by Bass Electrical Services and Palmer Construction Management.
Special awards will also be presented for Best Personal Showcase/Talent, Best Evening Gown and Miss Congeniality, Best Interview, Miss Photogenic and Best Stage Presence.
With all of the excitement of the Watermelon Festival ahead, you will not want to miss this year's kick-off event! General admission for each of this year's Watermelon Pageants is just $7 per pageant, and children aged three and under are free. Tickets will be sold “by the seat,” first come/first served.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or on the Watermelon Festival website at Monticellowatermelonfestival.com. For more information, contact the Executive Director of the Chamber, Amy McDaniel at (850) 997-5552.
Mark your calendars for this Saturday, May 31, and come out to support this year's potential Watermelon royalty. We will see you there, Monticello!