Some were back from the past and some were new on the scene taking a shot at getting the big trophies in watermelon eating and seed spitting at the 2009 Hope Watermelon Festival contests.
Red headed champion Sabrina Bear, of Bodcaw, brought home the first place trophy in her division in watermelon eating, and second place overall, as she gave up the overall title to Michelle Harrison, of Lawton, Ft. Sill, Okla.
Harrison was in with her husband Clinton Harrison, from Hope, who was visiting his mother.
“I am happy I am champion,” Harrison said as she tried to catch her breath after gulping her melon in such a short time.
First place in the children’s division went to Colton James Rosenbaum, six, of Langston, Ala.
Rosenbaum was a first-year winner and ate his melon in 15 seconds. He was visiting family with his parents, Mark and Linda Rosenbaum, according to his mother. The six year-old commented on winning with a confident attitude.
“It was easy. Most of it goes on the ground,” he said.
Second place in the children’s division went to Jarod Hickson, seven, of Dequeen, Ark.,
“It was good!,” Hickson said.
Third place for the little guys went to Rebecca Richnow, of Texarkana. Her comment was also about the watermelon.
“It was good!” she said. Her mother said she practiced all week.
First place in the eight to 14 division went to Sabrina Bear, reigning world champion.
Second place was given to Jessamyn Smith, nine, of Magnolia. Third place went to Abby Roberts of Bentonville.
Winners of the adult watermelon eating contest went to Michele Harrison (first place), Larry Lewis (second place), of Hope, and Kingston Richardson (third place), of Mineral Springs.
Lewis, who returned from last year said he lost to Harrison last year.
“I am going to tell them to give her a bigger slice next year,” Lewis said.
First place in the children’s “seed spitters,” not “speed sitters,” as announcer Mark Keith had a little tongue twister, went to Amanda Villue, of Taylor.
Second place was awarded to Justin Nixon, 7, of Doyline, La., and third place to Aaron Hogue, 9, of Clinton.
For the eight to 14, category seed spitter winner’s trophies went to Bailey Cates, of Shreveport, second place Ty Massey, of Hope, and third to Robbie Kappus, of Hillsborough, N.J. Kappus was also in Hope to visit relatives.
The seed spitting world champion title went to first time competitor Walt Herbert, of Texas who placed first in the adult competition.
The second place adult winner was Terry Cox, of Murfreesboro,a returning competitor. Third place went to returning competitor Larry Lewis.
