Official Rules

Entry & Prizes

• There is no cost to enter this contest.
• Prizes are as follows:
  Ages 10 & Under: 1st Place: T-shirt voucher from Apache Design, 2nd Place: T-shirt voucher from Apache Design, 3rd Place: T-shirt voucher from Apache Design
  Ages 11 to 17: 1st Place: $25, 2nd Place: $15, 3rd Place: $10
  Ages 18 & Over: 1st Place: $25, 2nd Place: $15, 3rd Place: $10

Registration & Check-In

• All contestants must register before participating.
• Registration forms are available online by clicking the button above or at Jo’s Corner Florist, 313 N. Columbia Street, Union City, Indiana.
• Contestants must check in before the contest begins.
• Contest registrations should be received no later than 30 minutes prior to the event start, unless a different deadline is provided.
• Late entries may not be accepted once the contest has started.

Eligibility

• The contest will be divided into age divisions:
  Ages 10 & under
  Ages 11 to 17
  Ages 18 & over
• Contestants must compete in the correct age division.
• Minors must be accompanied by an adult if required by State Line Heritage Days officials.
• All entries are subject to the State Line Heritage Days Committee General Rules and Regulations and the Watermelon Eating Contest Rules.

Contest Format

• Contestants will have 3 minutes to eat their watermelon.
• Each contestant will begin with one slice of watermelon.
• Contestants will eat as many slices as possible within the time limit.
• Watermelon must be eaten all the way to the rind to count.
• At the end of the time limit, the contestant who has eaten the most watermelon in their age division will be declared the winner.
• The contest will be canceled if fewer than four contestants are registered and present at the time of the contest.

Contest-Specific Rules

• Contestants must keep their hands behind their backs during the contest.
• Contestants may not touch any part of the watermelon with their hands.
• Contestants may not use their hands to hold, move, or steady the watermelon slice.
• If a contestant uses their hands at any time, they will be disqualified.
• Any contestant who begins gagging, spits up, or starts to regurgitate will be removed from the competition.

Judging & Winner Determination

• Winners will be determined by the amount of watermelon eaten within the 3-minute time limit.
• Watermelon must be eaten to the rind in order to count.
• Judges or contest officials will determine the final results.
• In the event of a tie, tied contestants will participate in a sudden-death eating round.
• Judges’ and contest officials’ decisions are final.

Safety & Conduct

• Contestants must follow all instructions from contest officials.
• Contestants may stop participating at any time.
• Contest officials may remove a contestant from the competition for health or safety concerns.
• Contestants may not interfere with another contestant.
• Contestants are expected to behave respectfully toward officials, volunteers, spectators, and other contestants.

Disqualification

• Using hands during the contest.
• Touching, holding, moving, or steadying the watermelon with hands.
• Failing to keep hands behind the back.
• Gagging, spitting up, or regurgitating during the competition.
• Interfering with another contestant.
• Unsafe, unsportsmanlike, or disrespectful behavior.
• Failure to follow instructions from contest officials.

General Rules

• All entries are subject to the State Line Heritage Days Committee General Rules and Regulations.
• State Line Heritage Days reserves the right to clarify rules, adjust procedures, or make final decisions as needed for safety, fairness, or event operations.
• Contest officials have final authority during the event.