The stage was set. A long table donned a bright red vinyl cover. The contestants patiently waited for the start. Then, fans began to circle around the table, each supporting their contestant or just watching for the show. As the watermelon eating contest took off, so did the chunky spray of watermelon as participants shoved their faces into the fruit as quickly and ferociously as they could. Just one of the many opportunities people had to gorge themselves. The food came in many forms: watermelon, ice cream, Mulligan's fish tacos.
But, the fun came in even more forms. There were events running seamlessly throughout the day. Including, the ice cream eating contest, the seed spitting contest, and everyone's favorite: the watermelon eating contest. Thanks to the planning of our very own events crew, and a day of help from many volunteers, there were activities for all to enjoy regardless of their interests.
Many kids tried their hands at a plethora of lawn games and toys. Some even took the opportunity to turn their own hands to wax with the ever-popular “Wax Hands” station. However, the favorite of the day seemed to be the pirate inflatable that offered not only a large bounce house but a waterslide to cool off afterward. “Food and Fun” was the motto of the day. But the 11th Annual outer banks Watermelon festival had a lot more to it than that.
The Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian safety Coalition
The entire festival supports the Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian safety Coalition. A group with a positive mission: “To help facilitate the education and awareness of practical bicycle and pedestrian safety to drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and all those who live or visit the Outer Banks of North Carolina in a positive and proactive manner.” Unfortunately, too many people are injured or killed every year on the Outer Banks trying to cross the highways on bicycles or on foot. For kitty hawk kites, this was an issue that everyone could get behind. Following the Watermelon Festival, we raised a total of $4723!
But, you can't measure awareness. Just getting people to recognize the issue at hand and respect the rules of the road can have a lasting effect on the community. So if everyone does their part to pay attention and respect the safety of others, hopefully, the issue can be eaten away as if it were just a piece of watermelon.
The kitty hawk kites sign at the Jockeys Ridge Crossing location advertising for the Watermelon Festival 
Employees and volunteers gathered for the kitty hawk Kites Watermelon Festival 
A portable rock wall set up for the Watermelon Festival by Kitty Hawk Kites 
Watermelons at the Watermelon Festival at Kitty Hawk Kites at the Jockeys Ridge Crossing location
