If you love watermelon as much as we do in Alamo, then get ready for the 5th Annual Watermelon Festival on May 13th! There will be plenty of kiddie rides, food, activities and BBQ for the whole family to enjoy. Before spending that special Saturday at one of the most unique festivals in the Rio Grande Valley, be sure to know these five interesting facts about watermelons!
They’re 92% Water
That’s right, watermelons are 92% water! It’s no wonder how they got their name! In ancient times, travelers carried watermelons to quench their thirst during long trips since they have enough liquid to last long periods and are the perfect replacement for regular water as their juice contains natural sugars that are beneficial for your health.
They’re Fruits AND Vegetables
What would you categorize a watermelon as, a fruit or vegetable? They’re both! Watermelons are popularly known as fruits since they produce seeds, but they can be traced back to the cucumber family, also known as Cucurbitaceae. Watermelons are grown like vegetable crops, using vegetable production systems and are generally treated as a vegetable in culinary settings. In fact, in 2007, Oklahoma declared the watermelon as its official vegetable.
They Also Come in Yellow
The sweet red/pinkish interior of a watermelon is an iconic color, but did you know that some have yellow flesh? Known as Yellow Crimson watermelons, they’re identical on the outside to your average watermelon, however, they lack a powerful antioxidant called lycopene that makes their flesh red. This gives them yellow interiors. If you’ve never had one, try one! They’re known to be extremely sweet, almost comparable to honey.
Every Part is Edible
That’s right. You can eat the rind and even the seeds. Don’t fear though, that old urban legend about swallowing a watermelon seed and having one grow in your stomach is obviously not true. In fact, watermelon seeds have huge nutritional value since they’re filled with magnesium, iron and healthy fats that your body needs. As for the rind, eating them can boost blood flow, help aid in weight loss and even keep harmful toxins from residing in your body!
The Largest on Record Weighed 350.5 lbs.
Guinness World Records found that the heaviest watermelon was grown by Chris Kent of Tennessee. In 2013, Kent entered his watermelon into the 2013 Pumpkin and Fall Festival in Hamilton, Ohio and shattered the previous watermelon weight record of 308 lbs. It was estimated that the 350.5 lb. watermelon also had over 1,500 seeds inside!
More Watermelon
Watermelons have played an important part in Alamo’s history. During the 1940s and 1950s, the city was a shipping point for vegetables and citrus fruits. When creating the festival, Alamo wanted to capture the essence of this rich history, which led to the festival’s creation. Ever since 2013, attendance for the festival has grown from 3,000 to more than 5,000.
All About Alamo
The 5th Annual Watermelon Festival will be the talk of the town on May 13th. Remember to bring your friends and family for some FREE entertainment and fun! To find out more about the festival or the performance lineup, click here.