County Extension announces this year’s Watermelon Festival contests

With a fitting theme of “Red, White and Green,” the Franklin County Extension and Community Spirit Bank will sponsor the following contests in conjunction with this year’s Franklin County Watermelon Festival, with all entries due at the Extension office Aug. 18 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Cutest Baby/Child Photography Contest

• Categories are as follows: Baby/0-12 months; Toddler/1-3 years; and Preschool/4-5 years.
• Photos should be no smaller than 5×7 but no larger than 11×14, mounted on poster or foam board.
• Child’s face must be clearly visible, and the child must be the main focus of the picture.
• Back of mounted photo should include the following entrant information: Name, address, phone number, category and age.
• Prizes: First place, $25; second place, $20; third place, $15.
• One entry per person.

Iced Tea Contest

• Categories are as follows: Sweetened or flavored.
• Entries will be judged on taste.
• Contestants should provide: a half-gallon of tea in a non-returnable plastic container; the recipe; and the following entrant information: Name, address, phone number and category.
• Contestants must be 18 or older.
• Prizes: First place, $30; second place, $25; third place, $20.
• One entry per person.

Coloring Contest

• Categories are as follows: Kindergarten through third-graders and fourth- through sixth-graders.
• Coloring sheets can be picked up on the first floor of the Franklin County Courthouse Aug. 18.
• Required entrant information includes: Name, parent’s name, address, phone number and age.
• Prizes: First place, $12; second place, $10; third place, $8. Winning classroom teacher in each category will receive $40.

Costume Contest

• Costumes will be judged on execution, originality, creativity and your story.
• Contestants must be 18 or older.
• Costumes can be homemade or semi-homemade.
• Entries should include: A photo of you in your costume, a written description of your costume – including your inspiration and how you made it – and the entrant’s name, address, email address and date of birth.
• Prizes: First place, $100; second place, $75; third place, $50.
• One entry per person.
• Entries can be dropped off at the Extension office Aug. 18 or emailed to colekat@auburn.edu with the subject line “Watermelon Costume Contest Entry.”

Awards may be picked up at the Franklin County Extension Office Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For questions or more information on any of the contests call Katernia Cole-Coffey, Extension coordinator, at 256-332-8880.