Watermelon flowed freely at the 64th annual Newberry Watermelon Festival, where attendants snacked on the juicy fruit and celebrated the town's signature tradition Saturday.
The festival ran Friday and Saturday at Canterbury Equestrian Showplace and featured carnival rides and traditional games, such as a seed spitting contest, watermelon rolling, hog calling and a baking contest.
It is the longest running watermelon festival in the nation, according to Tia Bonnell, president of the Newberry Watermelon Festival Committee.
"It began in 1946 to welcome home soldiers from the war. Watermelons were predominantly producing at that time and the tradition stuck with us," she said.
This year's festival included more than watermelon. Food vendors ranged from Newberry's Deli and Grille to Welcome to the Swamp Southern Style Fried Alligator Tail.
Eight contestants competed for the 2009 Newberry Watermelon Festival Queen crown, a tradition as old as the festival.
Contestants modeled evening gowns, gave speeches on agriculture and participated in the seed spitting contest.
This year's crowned queen was Brandi Harrison, 18, a Newberry local.
"I practiced a lot prior to the festival," Harrison said, beaming. "I feel so excited and overwhelmed.
