Franklin County, News, Z - News Main
 By  Staff Reports Published 
10:20 am Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Watermelon Queen: Amber Gibson takes 2016 crown

Amber Gibson has been named the 2016 Watermelon Queen.

Amber Gibson has been named the 2016 Watermelon Queen.

By Bernie Moussad for the FCT

bernie.moussad@fct.wpengine.com

 

Each year, one lucky lady is selected for the coveted title of Watermelon Queen, and July 23, Amber Gibson was chosen for this honor for 2016.

The Watermelon Pageant is a yearly event hosted by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. The pageant is divided up into multiple age groups, starting from 0-11 months all the way to 18 years and older.

Gibson, the 2016 Watermelon Queen, has been preparing for this moment since she was just in Contestants were judged on their smile, hair, dress and many other categories. Each age group had its own queen, but the 18 and older group boasts the ultimate Watermelon Queen, who presides over the Watermelon Festival.

For Gibson, this is more than just winning a competition. “I think it’s an honor to represent Franklin County,” she said. “I’m extremely honored and blessed.”

Gibson would like future competitors to know this: “Just be you and have confidence in yourself and just strive for your dreams.”

Gibson will open the Watermelon Festival in August by slicing the munching the first juicy slice of the festival’s namesake fruit.

Also on Franklin County Times
Gray named president of Red Bay, Helen Keller hospitals
Main, News, Red Bay
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
July 15, 2026
SHEFFIELD — Red Bay hospital will soon be under new leadership as Jeremy Gray, who has been hired as the new president of the Franklin County facility...
5 properties are designated nuisance
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Five properties within the city have been designated public nuisances, and city workers soon will begin tearing down a burnedout partia...
Condemned downtown building to be demolished, replaced
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The condemned building that used to house the Faith Mission Outreach will be demolished and a new structure rebuilt in its place. In an...
Jones says he’ll listen to Alabamians
Main, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 15, 2026
SHEFFIELD — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones shared a vision July 9 of an Alabama government who listens to its constituents and focuses ...
Stage being renovated for W.C. Handy Fest
News
By Ella Seaton For the FCT 
July 15, 2026
SHEFFIELD — Stage renovations at Riverfront Park face a fast-approaching completion deadline prior to the W.C. Handy Music Festival. With “Riverside J...
A $174M penalty families can’t afford
Columnists, News, Opinion
July 15, 2026
Recently, the federal government published “scores” that will determine how much each state will have to pay toward its SNAP program starting in 2027....
Friendships more precious as years pass
Columnists, Features, Lifestyles, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 15, 2026
Friends are wonderful gifts. Throughout different stages of life, friends serve as anchors, confidants and sources of strength. While many people come...
Sparks is youngest miracle worker yet
News
By Addi Broadfoots For the FCT 
July 15, 2026
For 65 years, audiences have watched the story of Helen Keller come to life on the outdoor stage behind Ivy Green in Tuscumbia. This summer, that trad...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *