Extension announces Watermelon Festival contests

An exciting part of each year’s Franklin County Watermelon Festival are the Franklin County Extension contests. Here are the 2016 Franklin County Watermelon Festival Contest and Rules. This year’s theme will be “Red, White and Green.”

Watermelon Festival Cutest “Baby/Child” Photography Contest Rules

If you think you have the cutest baby or child in Franklin County, enter them in the 2016 Watermelon Festival Baby/Child Photography Contest. To enter your baby/child’s photo in the contest, submit a photo no smaller that 5×7 and no larger than 11×14 mounted on poster or foam board. Categories are Boys and Girls. Age groups are 0-6 months, 7-11 months, 1 year old, 2 years old, 3 years old and 4 years old. Twins will be in one category. Judges must be able to see the baby’s/child’s face clearly, and the child must be the main focus of the picture. Include on the back of your mounted photo: Name, Address, Phone Number, Category and Age. Cash prizes and ribbons are as follows: 1^st Place $20, 2^nd Place $15 and 3^rd Place $10. Only one entry per category.

Watermelon Festival “Iced Tea” Contest Rules

Contestants must be 18 years or older. With your entry please provide a recipe along with the following contact information: Name, Address, Phone number and Category. Entries will be judged on taste. There will be three categories: Sweetened, Flavored (Watermelon, Peach or other flavors) and Sugar Substitute. Provide ½ gallon of tea in a non-returnable plastic container. Cash prizes and ribbons are as follows:  1^st Place $30, 2nd Place $25 and 3^rd Place $15. Only one entry per category.

Watermelon Festival Pet Photo Contest Rules

Is there a fantastic feline, a cute canine, a ravishing rabbit, a gorgeous goat, a charming chicken, a fine looking fish or a lovely lizard in Franklin County? If you know that your pet is the best of them all, here is a chance for you to show everyone! In order for entries to be eligible for submission, photos must be in color, high resolution, clear and in focus. Minimum size 5×7 and no larger than 11×14 and mounted on poster board or poster board. Include on the back of your mounted photo: Name, Address, Phone Number, Category and Age. Cash prizes and ribbons are as follows: 1^st Place $20, 2^nd Place $15 and 3^rd Place $10. Only one entry per category.

2016 Watermelon Festival Coloring Contest

This contest is for kindergarten through third grades. Coloring sheets can be picked up on the first floor of the Franklin County Courthouse or at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Aug. 2-15. There are two age categories: grades K-1 and 2-3. Please include the following on the back of the coloring sheet: Name, Address, Phone Number and Age. Prizes are as follows: 1^st Place $10, 2^nd Place $8 and 3^rd Place $6.

Watermelon Festival Photography Contest

Categories are

1. People

2. Scenic

3. Still Life. Only one entry per category. Photos must be in color. Photos must be a minimum of 5×7 and no larger than 11×14 and mounted on poster board or foam board. Include the following on the back of your mounted photo: Name, Address, Phone Number, Photography Category and Age. Cash prizes and ribbons are as follows: 1^st Place $20, 2^nd Place $15 and 3^rd Place $10.

All entries must be turned in to the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office by Aug. 16 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Franklin County Watermelon Festival Baby/Child Photo, Iced Tea Winners, Pet Photo, Coloring Contest, and Traditional Photography Entries and Winners will be displayed on the first floor of the Franklin County Courthouse from Aug. 17-23.

For more information, call Katernia Cole-Coffey at 256-332-8880.