Watermelon Festival pageant crowns Queen

Russellville High School graduate Silvie Kaye Miller was named Queen of this year’s Watermelon Festival pageant, held Saturday in the RCS Auditorium. She also won Most Photogenic, Best Dress and Prettiest hair. She will be awarded a $500 scholarship.

“I never expect this to happen,” Miller said. “It’s very exciting because I’ve never won a title before.”

Now a junior varsity assistant cheer coach at Belgreen, Miller is also attending Northwest Shoals Community College to pursue an Associate’s degree in science. She plans to attend the University of North Alabama after that, to earn a Bachelor’s in secondary education, after which she will teach math. She is involved with Souls for the Homeless, an organization which helps provide shoes.

The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce plans and directs the pageant and festival. Chamber director, Cassie Medley, said this year saw the largest number of contestants yet – 158 girls across 26 categories.

“We know the queens will represent Franklin County and the Watermelon Festival well,” Medley said. “They are an enthusiastic group, and it was encouraging to see them grow through this experience, making friends and gaining confidence along the way.”

The queens will be presented at the opening ceremony 6:45 p.m. on Friday evening (Aug. 18) at the Watermelon Festival in downtown Russellville. During her reign, Miller will cut the first watermelon at the Watermelon Festival, award prizes for the Watermelon Contests, ride in the Russellville Christmas Parade and crown the queens at the 2024 Watermelon Pageant.

Stay tuned for our upcoming annual special newspaper section with more photos and information about the queens, as well as a map and other information about the events.