Twice since 2004, Randy McCorkle has left the Tom Watson Watermelon Festival with a coveted prize.
In 2005, his 51-pound melon was the largest at the festival, and the next year his 52-pounder took top honors.
The $300 cash prize is nice, but, "It's just a fun hobby for a retired guy like me," said Mr. McCorkle, who grows an acre of watermelons near his Dearing home.
He is planning to enter a watermelon at this year's festival, which is Saturday, but it probably won't measure up to ones he has had in past years.
"If you've got good rainfall, they'll grow large," he said. "But this year and last year we've got real unfavorable growing conditions."
Growers can typically help their crop out by hand-watering or irrigating their fields, but Mr. McCorkle said he is committed to using traditional growing methods.
"I don't do no modern stuff like irrigation or planting them on plastic or stuff," he said.
The upside is low-maintenance vines. The downside, he said, "is you've got no control. With the rain you never know what will turn up."
Planting several varieties helps. Mr. McCorkle grows five types of watermelon, but the only melon that can be entered in Saturday's contest is a Tom Watson.
The heirloom variety was named in honor of politician Tom Watson, whose historic homestead in Thomson is the site of the annual festival.
The weekend's events also include a watermelon recipe contest, watermelon-carving contest, seed-spitting, watermelon shot put and greased watermelon three-legged relay.
"I'm not competitive this year, but it'll still be a lot of fun," Mr. McCorkle said.
Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Tom Watson Watermelon Festival
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: 502 Hickory Hill Drive in Thomson
INFO: (706) 595--7777
GETTING THERE
Take Interstate 20 west for about 30 miles. Take Exit 175 and turn left. Pass through two lights. Hickory Hill is 1.3 miles on the right.
WHO WAS TOM WATSON?
Tom Watson, born in 1856 near Thomson, was a politician, lawyer and author.
The Populist leader ran for vice president and president around the turn of the 20th century. He served two years in the U.S. Senate and died in 1922.
Melon seeds were named in his honor about 1900. The melon is known for its oblong shape, thick rind and grayish-green color.
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