Watermelon queens hand out fresh slices on Boardwalk
In recognition of National Watermelon Day Aug. 3, watermelon queens from across the country handed out freshly cut slices of watermelon July 30 on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk.
Dressed with tiaras, pageant sashes and watermelon-themed accessories, seven watermelon queens braved the hot sun and thick air to distribute wedges of the bright-red fruit.
Those making the trip to Delaware included National Watermelon Queen Elanie Mason, Mar-Del Watermelon Association Queen Caroline Allen, Illiana Watermelon Queen Jocey Wible, North Carolina Watermelon Queen Elle Steinlage, Gulf Coast Watermelon Queen Maci Cross, Georgia Watermelon Queen Katelyn Lindsday and Texas Watermelon Queen Bethany Boller.
The queens and other representatives from the Mar-Del Watermelon Association and the National Watermelon Association were supposed to begin at 10 a.m., but they began a little early because it was so hot. The folks sweating through their morning Boardwalk routine or carrying supplies to the beach appreciated the gesture.
National Watermelon Day 2026 is Monday, Aug. 3, which means the queens will be on the Boardwalk somewhere near that date. For more information on the Mar-Del Watermelon Association, go to mardelwatermelon.org.
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.
