The National Watermelon Promotion Board sponsored the 47th Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 30 in Washington, DC, drawing more than 11,000 marathoners, nearly 5,000 10k runners and 982 Ultramarathoner finishers. It was the eighth year the NWPB sponsored the event, and its Team Watermelon was on hand and gave out an estimated 28,000 samples of watermelon to runners, friends, family and supporters from all 50 states and more than 50 countries.

The National Watermelon Promotion Board sponsored the 47th Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 30 in Washington, DC, drawing more than 11,000 marathoners, nearly 5,000 10k runners and 982 Ultramarathoner finishers. It was the eighth year the NWPB sponsored the event, and its Team Watermelon was on hand and gave out an estimated 28,000 samples of watermelon to runners, friends, family and supporters from all 50 states and more than 50 countries.

The National Watermelon Promotion Board, named winners of its annual Retail Merchandising Contest, which garnered more than 120 entries from various retail chains, independent retailers and commissaries throughout the U.S. and Canada. This year’s contest — the 14th since its inception — continued to utilize mixed media marketing efforts in addition to in-store displays.

This summer, National Watermelon Promotion Board infused fresh online marketing trends into the Consumer Communications program to not only remain relevant but also thrive in today’s digital landscape.

The National Watermelon Promotion Board invites all retail chains, independent retailers and commissaries to submit entries to their 14th annual Watermelon Retail Merchandising Contest.  More than $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to top entrants, including $5,000 for the grand prize for winner. The second place winner will receive $2,500, third place will receive $1,000 and three honorable mentions will each receive $500. An additional incentive of a $15 gift card will be awarded to the first 25 entries.

Vegetables by Bayer and its Seminis seed brand signed an agreement to sponsor watermelon grower and NASCAR driver Ross Chastain. The sponsorship was officially kicked off this past weekend at the June 5 NASCAR Cup Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis.