67th annual Panhandle Watermelon Festival draws in record numbers

The 67th annual Panhandle Watermelon Festival drew in thousands despite the chance of bad weather that has been plaguing the Panhandle for more than a week.

The skies cleared and a good breeze during the Friday night concert saw more than 10,000 people in attendance to see Colin Raye and Easton Corbin perform their biggest hits. Saturday’s activities included a parade, car show, watermelon auction and performances by country music artists Andy Griggs and Ty Herndon.

This year’s champion watermelon weighed in at 51 and a half pounds and sold for $5,100 to JRA Architects.