Between 3,000 and 5,000 people are expected to pass through Chipley, Florida, this weekend for the 53rd Annual Watermelon Festival.

Local farmers can't wait for this event each year to determine who has the biggest and best watermelon.

Each year's festival celebrates the watermelon harvest in the Florida Panhandle, but I’ve got to tell you. This year's crop has faced some challenges.

This year's watermelon crop has seen it all -- freezing temperatures, flooding rains, wind storms, and sun scorching heat.

This season's weather has pushed the watermelon crop about two weeks late.

"Our melons were late to begin with because of the entire freeze, but on the same token, we experienced a lot of sun burning here right near the 4th of July from all the extreme heat as the vines begin to decline,” says Andy Andreasen, the Washington Co. Ext. Director.

So, there may be fewer melons this season and they may be a little smaller, but growers are looking on the bright side.

"The price is extremely good on watermelons this year but it needs to be because production is down,” says Andreasen.
And nothing can keep the watermelon festival from ripening each year.

"I really don't think the shortage of melons is going to hurt our festival."

"It draws a huge crowd that spreads money here in town,” says Andreasen.

"When you just think that you'll probably see well over 3,000 people passing through the Watermelon Festival all those people will have a chance to go to downtown Chipley and shop in downtown, it's a good thing, a lot of people will stop in our local restaurants and that's a good thing,” says Ted Everett, the Washington Co. Chamber Director.

The festival could mean big bucks for downtown businesses and as you can see on the storefront behind me, they're getting into the spirit.

Paul Davidson, a produce stand owner is already loading up melons for customers.

"We hope that it generates a lot of business, we'll see a lot more people in town and we hope to see an increase in watermelon sales this weekend," says Paul Davidson, Co-owner of the Main St. Market.

The struggling crop hasn't killed the watermelon enthusiasm, in fact, it's contagious.