A few decades ago, watermelon seemed an almost uniformly large fruit in the U.S., but now there’s an array of sizes, rind colors and flesh hues for adventurous consumers — and 90% of the market is ...

Amber Poligardo, right, of Elkridge, gets the thumb-up from Joe Kopasek, left, of Arbutus, after winning the watermelon eating contest at the fourth Annual Watermelon Festival at Braglio Farms.

HEFLIN — Rows of ripe watermelons and the sounds of homegrown music filled the Cheaha Plant Farm this past Saturday, drawing dozens of local residents to the third annual “Watermelon Weekend” event.

HAGERMAN, Idaho — When it comes to summertime staples, there's one fruit that always ends up in the cooler or on the picnic table. It's watermelon, and this time of year, it is the freshest you will ...