2023 Texas Watermelon Association Annual Convention

When:
November 9-11, 2023

Where: Omni Fort Worth 
1300 Houston Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Omni Fort Worth Hotel offers a true taste of Texas hospitality and authenticity. Conveniently located in the heart of Fort Worth’s exciting downtown, the hotel is adjacent to the Fort Worth Convention Center and within walking distance from the city’s cultural centers, restaurants and nightlife. Experience the gracious and dynamic personality of the city, fondly known as Cowtown, through our hotel’s Western spirit and casual elegance.

(817) 535-6664
The special room rate will be available until October 19, 2023.

 

 

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FACTOIDS

Texas Agriculture Matters! Texas watermelons contribute almost $90 million annually to our state’s economy. Grown on farms stretching from the Rio Grande Valley up to the High Plains and from East Texas to the Trans-Pecos, watermelons nourish Texans and the Texas economy – enabling our producers and state to continue to be recognized leaders in the global marketplace.

– Sid Miller, Agriculture Commissioner

The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt.

Over 1,200 varieties of watermelons are grown worldwide in 96 countries.

Watermelons are 92% water.

Watermelon's official name is Citrullus Lanatus of the botanical family Curcurbitaceae. It is cousins to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash.

By weight, watermelon is the most-consumed melon in the U.S., followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.

Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.

The first cookbook published in the U.S. in 1776 contained a recipe for watermelon rind pickles.

In 1990, Bill Carson of Arrington, TN grew the largest watermelon at 262 pounds that is still on the record books (1998 ed. Guinness Book of World Records).

TEXAS IS ONE OF THE TOP FOUR WATERMELON PRODUCERS IN THE COUNTRY, GROWING 15% OF THE TOTAL DOMESTIC CROP. LAST YEAR, TEXAS PRODUCED OVER 600 MILLION LBS OF WATERMELON.