First Evan’s Watermelon Festival
Evan’s Produce in Delaware had its first ever Watermelon festival, and it kicked off with a bang. Between the seed spitting contests, pony rides, and relay races it was a whole lot of fun. Evans Farms began small, but just recently Katey Evans and her husband Kevin transitioned their roadside wagon to the first drive through farmers market in the State of Delaware.
“We’ve had other events here at the market, but this is definitely the biggest,” said Katey as she picked up the newest Evans – her two-year-old daughter. “This is a family business.”
One of the biggest stars of the festival was actually a family member. Mama Joe is Katey’s mother and has been making sorbets and ice cream for Katey since she was a little girl, which is all tied in to the family style concept here at Evan’s farms.
“My side of the family was always into produce, had a few dairy farmers back in the 30s,” said Kevin Evans. “But Katey’s mom, Mama Joe, makes some of the best Sorbet I’ve ever had so, It made sense for us to combine the produce with the ice cream.”
Lines wrapped around the corner for Mama Joe’s sorbet as 47 ABC was told the watermelon flavored treat was the best. When we were finally able to get past all the lines and commotion we found Mama Joe in a watermelon apron, making the highly anticipated dessert of the day.
“I make everything from scratch,” said Mama Joe as she rushed around cleaning up the area for us to shoot. “I even make my waffle cones from scratch and as far as that watermelon sorbet goes, all you need is fresh watermelon, water, sugar, and love.”
After enjoying some sorbet, 47 ABC was introduced to the 2016 Watermelon Queen which we were told was the most esteemed guest.
“I’m really happy to be here. I’ve known the owners for a while and they really are great people. And the festival offers every kind of watermelon you can think up; even colors that you wouldn’t know a watermelon could be,” said Amy Wigglesworth, the winner of the 2016 Watermelon Queen competition.
There was also a visit from the watermelon Laurel school bus . 47 ABC was told Watermelons are transported in gutted out school buses, so this particular one became a project and it was painted by the laurel community. Additionally, Evans Farms’ is starting up a Community Supported Agriculture program to bring local communities fresh produce weekly to the throughout the farming season.
