Many Weehawken children came to the stadium ready to gorge themselves on huge slices of healthy fruit for the annual watermelon eating contest on July 23 at 6:30 p.m., just one fun event the town hosts as part of its Summer Recreation Activities Program.
Mayor Richard Turner and Councilman-at-Large Robert Zucconi were eager to see how the kids did and watched carefully as the contest got underway and the judges kept tabs on some voracious watermelon eaters.
It took less than 10 minutes of actual competition for 17 kids to devour their watermelon, and a few of the extra watermelons were given away to the winners who couldn’t get enough of the juicy fruit.
The contest was divided into age groups – ages 3 and 4, 5 to 7, and 8 to 10 – but no matter what their ages, the kids had as much fun as could be, gulping down watermelon as sloppily as any carefree child would. Some shirts got as soaked as the tablecloths. Mouths and hands were sticky from the fevered competition, even more so than in previous years – since slices wouldn’t stand up on their own, kids were allowed to touch the rinds with their fingers, and many kids ate right down to the green.
Zucconi has seen his share of the watermelon eating fun in his four years as a council member.
“I could say it’s been the pits, but that would be a lie,” laughed Zucconi. “Everybody enjoys themselves. It’s a lot of fun, a lot of sloppy watermelon juice around, and a lot of happy kids.”
Anthony Stretton, who has lived in Weehawken for 35 years, helps to coordinate all sports activities and he ran the contest. When all was eaten and done, he marveled at the excitement and appetite of the kids.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Stretton. “I’m not a fan of watermelon, but these kids scoffed it down.”
Pictured: (Left)Weehawken resident Anthony Stretton and Mayor Turner instructed the kids what they should do when given the go ahead; meanwhile, the children anxiously eyed their slices of watermelon. (Center) Michael Scardigno, 6, gobbled down mouthfuls of watermelon, while his dad, Morris, cheered him on from the sidelines. Last year, Michael won in his age group, and Daddy says his son really likes watermelon: “He’s on a watermelon kick lately, so he came here psyched.” (Right) Lauren Kennedy, a 4-year-old who won second place last year, blew her competition away this time. This year, Lauren took first place in her age group by tearing her way through the watermelon on her plate.
Many Weehawken children came to the stadium ready to gorge themselves on huge slices of healthy fruit for the annual watermelon eating contest on July 23 at 6:30 p.m., just one fun event the town hosts as part of its Summer Recreation Activities Program.
Mayor Richard Turner and Councilman-at-Large Robert Zucconi were eager to see how the kids did and watched carefully as the contest got underway and the judges kept tabs on some voracious watermelon eaters.
It took less than 10 minutes of actual competition for 17 kids to devour their watermelon, and a few of the extra watermelons were given away to the winners who couldn’t get enough of the juicy fruit.
The contest was divided into age groups – ages 3 and 4, 5 to 7, and 8 to 10 – but no matter what their ages, the kids had as much fun as could be, gulping down watermelon as sloppily as any carefree child would. Some shirts got as soaked as the tablecloths. Mouths and hands were sticky from the fevered competition, even more so than in previous years – since slices wouldn’t stand up on their own, kids were allowed to touch the rinds with their fingers, and many kids ate right down to the green.
Zucconi has seen his share of the watermelon eating fun in his four years as a council member.
“I could say it’s been the pits, but that would be a lie,” laughed Zucconi. “Everybody enjoys themselves. It’s a lot of fun, a lot of sloppy watermelon juice around, and a lot of happy kids.”
Anthony Stretton, who has lived in Weehawken for 35 years, helps to coordinate all sports activities and he ran the contest. When all was eaten and done, he marveled at the excitement and appetite of the kids.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Stretton. “I’m not a fan of watermelon, but these kids scoffed it down.”
Pictured: (Left) Six-year-old Shayla Larson came to the contest last year, but didn’t participate. This year, her mom, Andrea, was right there to capture her first time on film. Shayla took home one of the awards in her age group. (Second left) Adrian Boysen, a 10-year-old, who took third place in his age group, gobbled down his slice and then another when the contest was over. He even got to take a whole one home. “It’s yummy,” Adrian said. “I’m going to eat my watermelon tonight.” (Second right) Peyton Kennedy, Lauren’s sister, wasn’t sure how she would do this time around and it is the last year she can compete, since she’s 10. But right after her sister took first place in her age group, Peyton retired the champion in hers. (Right) Mayor Turner (top center) and Councilman-at-Large Robert Zucconi (top left) presented the three winners in each age group with trophies and posed with all the kids, many of whom stuck around to grab even more watermelon.
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