Fireworks, 3-D Flowers & Disney's 'Frozen': Watermelon Carving Contest Winners Announced

 ORLANDO, FL –  Elegantly etched and creatively carved watermelons from across the globe were submitted in the 2014 Watermelon Carving Contest, sponsored by the National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB). The annual contest encourages consumers and retail professionals alike to whet their carving knives and wield a watermelon into a work of art.

“We were wowed by the nearly 100 contest submissions this year – the most we've ever received,” says Stephanie Barlow, NWPB director of PR and social media. “We saw everything from intricate designs and elaborate details, to really comical and creative carvings. With Halloween approaching, it’s the perfect time to consider swapping your traditional pumpkin for a juicy watermelon.”

Carving a ‘jack-o-melon’ this October not only spares a pumpkin, she says, it yields an abundance of nutritious, juicy pink flesh that’s ready to enjoy in salads, soups, drinks or simply as is.

“You only need a few tools and an imagination to carve your own jack-o-melon,” Barlow says. “Neighbors will take notice, and you’ll easily have the most unique carving around town.” 

For inspiration, see the winning carvings at http://bit.ly/Watermelon-Carving-Winners or the “Carvings & Entertainment” page on Watermelon.org.

The winners in the 2014 Watermelon Carving Contest, by category, are:

Most Elegant:
1. Eric Lai, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
2. Nanthawan Dye, Kingston, TN
3. Aneta Lekas, Toronto, Ontario
4. John Montgomery, Lapeer, MI

Best Fruit Basket:
1. Laura Poulsen, Vancouver, WA
2. Truc Dong, Davis, CA
3. Nicole Houdashell, Webster, WI
4. Ethel Luna Darwin, Nederland, TX

Funniest:
1. Dustin Evans, Broken Arrow, OK
2. Jeanne Fratello, Manhattan Beach, CA
3. Ryan Allison, Spokane, WA
4. Donna Lipscomb, Merced, CA *named People’s Choice Winner

Best Animal:
1. Aneta Lekas, Toronto, Ontario
2. April Schmidt, Jackson, NJ
3. Dustin Evans, Broken Arrow, OK
4. Ryan Allison, Spokane, WA

Best Star-Spangled (patriotic):
1. Dustin Evans, Broken Arrow, OK
2. Laura Poulsen, Vancouver, WA
3. Rose Flores, San Diego, CA
4. Ryan Allison, Spokane, WA

All winners were awarded a cash prize. The Watermelon Carving Contest is held each July during National Watermelon Month, visit Watermelon.org for entry details in July 2015.

About National Watermelon Promotion Board
NWPB was established in 1989 as the nonprofit marketing and communications arm of the watermelon industry. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB is a multi-faceted organization with a strategic mission to make watermelon an everyday, healthy choice for consumers throughout the United States, Canada and other export markets. NWPB works to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotions, marketing, research, communication and educational programs.

Source: National Watermelon Promotion Board