Festival names watermelon winners

For the competitive and the fun-loving, the Franklin County Watermelon Festival presents an opportunity to put their best foot forward in a range of watermelon contests. Following the weeked’s festivities, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce has shared this year’s winners:

• Most unusual: Joe McCalpin
• Seed spitting: first place, Kevin Strickland, 35.6 feet; second place, Miguel Bonilla, 21.9 feet; and third place, Tonya Capalla, 19.5 feet
• Best dressed: first place, Aymar Bonilla, and second place, Damaris Bonilla
• Best tasting: first place, Jimmy Martin; second place, Peggy Martin; and third place, Johnny Belue
• Largest: first place, Nick McCalpin, 223 pounds; second place, Charles Bentley, 213 pounds; and Jo McCalpin, 45 pounds
• Largest in Franklin County: first place, Rhett and Reed Jackson, 203 pounds; second place, Bonnie Radachi, 54 pounds; and third place, Anna Burgett, 32 pounds