The Georgia Watermelon Connection

“Happiness in Every Bite! Eat It. Drink It. Love It.” That’s the message from the Georgia Watermelon Association. As one of the top watermelon producing states in the U.S., of course Georgia has its own watermelon industry association. The Georgia Watermelon Association was initially incorporated as the Georgia Watermelon Growers and Distributors Association in May 1968, but changed its name to better reflect the scope of its membership in 1977. They are a chapter of the National Watermelon Association and will hold their next annual convention (January 26-28, 2024) right here at The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island. It is at this annual convention that a Georgia Watermelon Queen is selected. During the summer months the queen tours the state by visiting supermarkets, welcome centers, festivals, and other points of interest, making appearances on television and radio, meeting with local and state officials, sales groups, and others to promote the Georgia watermelon industry. She also represents GWA at the annual National Watermelon Convention, competing for the title of the National Watermelon Queen.

Georgia Watermelon Queen Charley Lollis was on St. Simons Island greeting people who stopped by the GWA table to grab free watermelon slices during the 4th of July Sunshine Festival 5K Run. Charley is a graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communication and a minor in Agribusiness. She works as the Territory Sales Manager for AgBiome and enjoys visiting local farmers markets and other agritourism destinations. For more information about the Georgia Watermelon Association, the annual conference, the queen contest, the GA watermelon industry, and some yummy recipes, visit georgiawatermelonassociation.org.