The Shadow
DOSWELL, VA (VR) — This year’s State Fair of Virginia Giant Watermelon blue ribbon was more than just another win for Davis Wells of Hanover County—it was another laugh from an 11-year-old rivalry with a dear friend.
While Wells has competed in the fair’s Giant Veggie Weigh-Off since 2004, a back-and-forth competition with the late Hank Houston of Spotsylvania County fueled his drive to grow ever-bigger melons.
Wells claimed seven consecutive blue ribbons from 2007 through 2013 and another two in 2015 and 2016. He was just one hefty watermelon away from his 10th win when Houston knocked him off the leaderboard in 2017.
“Hank was the only one that kept knocking me off. He’d beat me just a little bit then come on and harass me—all in good fun,” Wells laughed.
Houston’s 224-pound winning watermelon last year prompted another attempt at Wells’ longtime goal.
“I thought I had it last year, and he laughed the whole year and said, ‘I’m going to keep you out of it as long as I can, but you’ll probably get me,’” Wells recalled with a smile.
Virginia’s giant produce-growing community lost a friend when Houston died unexpectedly earlier this year.
Wells captured a 10th blue ribbon this year with his 246-pound watermelon, which he carefully cultivated in a 10-foot raised bed in his backyard. Houston’s watermelon placed fifth at 191.4 pounds and was brought to the fair by his family, who received condolences and heard heartfelt tributes to the late grower’s legacy.
Paul Jarosh of Culpeper County received the first-ever Hank Houston Hefty Harvest Award—claiming first place for his 196.6-pound bushel gourd, 107.6-inch long gourd and a tomato weighing 1.9 pounds. He also earned third place for his 49.4-pound field pumpkin and sixth place for his 145-pound watermelon. His giant butternut squash came in second at 48.2 pounds, topped by Tony Corbin’s 66.2-pound entry.
Corbin’s Culpeper County squash was grown using seeds from Jarosh’s 2022 world record-breaking butternut squash. Seed swapping and knowledge sharing are common among giant growers.
“It’s a competition, but it’s a community,” Jarosh remarked. “I enjoy helping other growers out.”
Wells concurred, adding that he most enjoys competing for “the people and the comradery.”
Friendliness among giant growers extends beyond state lines, with contestants applauding first-time grower Craig Meehan of Broomall, Pennsylvania, for his winning giant pumpkin, which weighed 1,200.4 pounds.
Meehan sourced his pumpkin seeds from 2023 winner Ryan Cook of Jumping Branch, West Virginia. Meehan’s son became fascinated with growing after watching Cook’s YouTube channel—inspiring his father to show his two sons what a family can accomplish with hard work and dedication.
Cook set a new record this year with his 97-pound field pumpkin and also placed in the butternut squash, giant pumpkin and green squash categories.
See these giant vegetables and more at the State Fair of Virginia, running through Oct. 6 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. Visit StateFairVa.org for more information.
