ILLIANA WATERMELON QUEEN AT 2010 MELONFEST

The Brownstown Melonfest board is proud to announce that Sylvia Crowder, the 2010 Illiana Watermelon Queen, will be attending this year’s festival on Sept. 10 and 11. Crowder will appear in the Melonfest parade on Saturday and serve as judge and announcer for various activities throughout the weekend.

Crowder, 18, is the daughter of Thomas and Karen Crowder of Cayuga, Ind. She is a graduate of North Vermillion Jr. /Sr. High School and plans to attend Southern Indiana University in the fall with the goal of becoming a dentist. Crowder was Miss Illiana Teen 2009, a 10-year member of 4-H, served as class president and track and cheerleading captain, graduated second in her class and is a member of the National Honor Society. At the age of three, she won her first trophy in the county fair watermelon eating contest and remained undefeated until age 13.

Illiana Watermelon Queen contestants compete in areas of promotion wear, speech, personal interview, taped interview, written portion, impromptu question, and evening gown. The queen is a paid spokesperson for the association for one year and receives a $1,000 scholarship and a $1,500 wardrobe allowance for nationals, crown and banner.

As the 2010 ambassador for the Illiana Watermelon Assoc., Crowder will make appearances at grocery stores, food shows and grand openings; lobby in Washington D.C., attend the Kroger 200 NASCAR race in Indianapolis, attend other state conventions and compete in the 2011 National Watermelon Queen contest in San Diego California at the 2011 National Watermelon Convention.

The Melonfest committee invites county residents to attend this year’s festival and meet the 2010 Illiana Watermelon Queen, Sylvia Crowder.

Sylvia Crowder, the 2010 Illiana Watermelon Queen, will appear at this year’s Melonfest on Sept. 10 and 11.
Crowder represents area watermelon growers as she attends festivals, fairs and various events held throughout Indiana and Illinois.