First Blog as the 2013 Georgia Watermelon Queen!

Hey y'all! My name is Carol Anne Mitchell, and I'm the 2013 Georgia Watermelon Queen. What is a Georgia Watermelon Queen you might ask? I am the representative of the Georgia Watermelon Association who's sole purpose is to promote the watermelon industry from production to consumption and are constantly seeking improvements. I am very honored to have the position that I have, and me and my coordinator Samantha Tankersley (who I am forever grateful for because she keeps me straight) never stop trying to think of new ways to promote this industry. One of the ways we thought we could do this was through an up-to-date blog of my travels, as the Georgia Watermelon Queen. So far I have gone on two tv shows, gone to numerous in-store promotions, gone to two truck races to support Ross Chastain (who is graciously sponsored by Melon1 in Florida) from Charlotte to Delaware, attended one festival (Aloft Festival), one watermelon 5k (Cordele, GA), one produce council trade show, and visited one pre-k class (Athens, GA). All of this of course would not be possible without the numerous sponsors I've had from all of my events and the Georgia Watermelon Association.

I grew up in watermelon country. Cordele, GA, where I was born and raised, is known as the "Watermelon Capitol of the World." (The next few events I'll be a part of will actually be located there.) We are coming upon the "Watermelon Days" of Cordele which will sure to be a treat, as they have been for me for the last (almost) twenty-two years. There are watermelon decorating contests, watermelon pageants, a watermelon parade, watermelon idol, watermelon seed spitting contests, watermelon dances, watermelon-bobbing, watermelon-eating contests, biggest melon contests, and of course a watermelon festival, all of which I'm very excited about.

A little bit of information about me: As is only normal of any watermelon queen, I have a slight obsession with anything watermelon. I have watermelon pajamas, jewelry, bouquets, pictures, blankets, aprons, checker's boards, salt and pepper shakers, pillows, bathing suits, cups and plates, and will go crazy over any child with a watermelon outfit (which is only natural because I was raised wearing nothing but watermelon attire). I love the taste, color, smell, feeling it gives you after a big water-gushing-everywhere bite, and its nutritional benefits. My family is just as obsessed and are eternally grateful for everything its industry has provided us through our involvement.

I hope you're as excited as I am for my next blog! Keep up to date with the Georgia Watermelon Association News at www.georgiawatermelonassociation.org or on our Facebook page!