‘Watermelon Family Reunion’ kicks off in Scottsdale
SCOTTSDALE, AZ — The 109th annual National Watermelon Convention, aka the annual “Watermelon Family Reunion,” kicked off Feb. 21 with an opening reception, here, at the We-Ko-Pa casino resort, drawing attendees from across the country. The reception was held at nearby Fort McDowell Adventures and offered a number of western activities with the beautiful Arizona desert in the backdrop. A guest appearance by NASCAR legend and watermelon industry supporter Ross Chastain was a highlight of the evening.
Casey Calhoun and Susan Fullerton of QIMA/WQS.
Representing the Charter Next Generation/Solar Shrink team were Mark Trenchard, Neil Weisengel, Seth Dimling and Garret Niss.
Greg Leger of Leger & Sons with Scott Givens of C&S Farms.
Samantha Nichols of Charter Next Generation/Solar Shrink, Stacie Blank of Farmers Alliance and Kendra Kennedy of International Paper.
Ramon Murillo of Cactus Melon Distributors and Art Perry of George Perry & Sons.
Christian Murillo of Cactus Melon Distributors, Juliemar Rosado and Stephanie Barlow of the National Watermelon Promotion Board, and Jessie Wiggins of Wiggins Farms.
NWA Executive Director George Szczepanski welcomed attendees to the opening reception of the 109th annual NWA convention.
Ian Botes of Enza Zaden, the sponsor of the opening reception, welcomed attendees to the 109th annual NWA convention.
Steven Willis of Willis Produce Sales with John Lapide of Melon 1.
NASCAR legend and watermelon proponent Ross Chastain greeted attendees of the opening reception of the 109th annual NWA convention.
National Watermelon Queen contestants Julianna Grace Singley of Gulf Coast, Gracy Faye Peterson of North Carolina, Charley Ann Lollis of Georgia, Abby Niehaus of Illiana, Ansley Grace Still of South Carolina and Brielle Mae Carter of Mar-Del were introduced by 2023 National Watermelon Queen Olivia Johnson.
John Groh
About John Groh | 
John Groh graduated from the University of San Diego in 1989 with a bachelors of arts degree in English. Following a brief stint as a sportswriter covering the New York Giants football team, he joined The Produce News in 1995 as an assistant editor and worked his way up the ranks, becoming publisher in 2006. He and his wife, Mary Anne, live in northern New Jersey in the suburbs of New York City.
