Fair Bluff Watermelon Festival

08/07/2026

Joan McPherson, this edition of Pinky Sue is absolutely fabulous!!!! It highlights the Fair Bluff Community Barn Quilt and the Watermelon Festival, complete with many familiar faces. Thank you to Joan McPherson and the many businesses and individuals that made this publication possible. It is truly delightful!!!🍉😍

07/30/2026

07/29/2026

I hate my photo quality isn’t good, but I managed to capture a picture that really made my heart swell and brought a tear to my eye. These young men were on the playground, but when they heard the National Anthem playing, they stopped, stood at attention with their hands over their heart, and showed respect for our flag and country. I never saw an adult go over and prompt them to do so!!!! Great job Beau Hinshaw, Claybourn Walters, Earl Hill, and Tyler Worley!!!! You give me confidence about the future of our country!!!!🇺🇸

07/26/2026

Jess Hill always does a great job getting contestants together and emceeing! We appreciate you very much!!!!🍉

Signing up for the watermelon eating contest.

07/26/2026

The adult watermelon eating contest was a tie!!!!!! Two local reigning queens beat out all the guys on Saturday. Winners were Kaylie Weatherford and Cassie Britt. They are pictured with watermelon contest emcee, Jess Hill - Columbus Country Clerk of Superior Court.🍉

07/26/2026

Youth watermelon eating champs were still dripping with juicy goodness! Younger winner is Malcolm Grissett and Older winner is Claybourn Walters, both of Fairmont. They are pictured with two lovely queens, Paige Williamson - Jr. Miss Watermelon and Kaylie Weatherford - BBQ on Bluff Queen.

07/26/2026

Hampton Worley was the first place winner of the 2026 Youth Quality Contest. Hampton is pictured with his two main growing assistants, Dad Adam, and Grandpa Robert. Dan Strickland of BEMC, premier event sponsor, is pictured with several youth quality winners or their representative.
2nd Place- Charlotte Strickland
3rd Place- Kepler Blackmon
4th Place- Chatham Smith
5th Place - Hughes Martin

07/26/2026

Ashley Strickland of Nichols, S.C. took home top honors and $400 in the 2026 Adult Quality Contest. Strickland is pictured with sponsor, Rob Hopper of Resource Environmental Solutions in the first photo. In second photo are Strickland, Kaylie Weatherford- BBQ on the Bluff Queen, and NC Watermelon Queen - Lilah Byrum.
2nd Place - Adam Worley
3rd Place - Ervin Strickland
4th Place - Caroline J. Strickland
5th Place - Dawn Hinshaw

07/26/2026

Rainy and wet, but wonderful event!🍉

07/26/2026

Premium Sponsor, Representative Brenden Jones, is pictured with 2026 Size contest winner Caleb Holden of Ash. Holden was a first time giant watermelon grower with his 197 pound entry and he received $500 .
Claybourn(10) and Harris(5) Walters of Fairmont are pictured with Rep. Jones in the last photo. They were recipients of the Youth Grower- Largest Watermelon Award and their prize was $250.
2nd place- Hampton Worley
3rd place- Israel FormyDuval
4th place- Claybourn & Harris Walters
5th place- Tyler & Miles Worley