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
Warming stations in the Shoals
News, Z - News Main
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
January 23, 2026
FLORENCE — Several warming centers and emergency shelters are operating across Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin counties in preparation for freezing t...
What to know about hypothermia
News, Z - News Main
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
January 23, 2026
FLORENCE — While Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale counties are facing a ice storm warning starting at midnight, several homes and residents may lose p...
Sheriff: Contraband is constant battle in jails
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said the county jail is not immune to the problem jail officials everywhere face: Inmates coming...
Oliver, Shackelford qualify for sheriff
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver will have to hit the campaign trail to seek a fifth term this year. Oliver, a Republican and Fra...
New welding shop a plus for students
Franklin County, Main, News, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A new welding shop inside the Russellville High School’s remodeled career tech building offers students more time and space to learn th...
Vina seniors tour NWSCC campuses
News, Vina Red Devils
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
VINA — Vina High School seniors toured the Phil Campbell and Muscle Shoals campuses of Northwest Shoals Community College as part of career planning a...
Can the US solve its electricity crisis?
Columnists, Opinion
January 21, 2026
As America embraces a new year 2026, consumers are looking for relief from an ongoing “affordability crisis.” While prices for some key items have mer...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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