Blackburn's watermelon is biggest

Luther Blackburn of Lincolnton received a first place prize of $300 for his 38.26 pound watermelon at the Tom Watson Watermelon Festival at Hickory Hill in Thomson on August 2. After placing third at last year's festival, Blackburn decided to grow watermelons once again, but after fracturing his leg in two separate places, the task proved to be more difficult than anticipated. With extra help from wife, Fannie, son, Roy, and the "good Lord for sending some rain," Blackburn's watermelons grew larger than ever and one took first place in the festival's largest watermelon contest.