SEBASTIAN — The 8th Annual Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce Grill-Out Night was a hands-down success, as hundreds hit the streets to enjoy the evening, learn a bit more about local businesses, and to sample the amazingly creative ways watermelon can be enjoyed, in the Great Watermelon Challenge.
Set up and down – and near – U.S. 1, the 23 participating businesses were rockin’ the block, welcoming visitors with music, all sorts of watermelon-y food and beverages, door prizes and give-aways.
Among the mouthwatering morsels: watermelon daiquiris, grilled watermelon, watermelon snow cones, watermelon ice cream, hotdogs, burgers, clams, conch and more – assuring no one left the celebration hungry or thirsty.
Chamber Tourism Coordinator Nicole Holbrook said the Chamber was “ incredibly pleased with the turnout of participants, and happy to see that afternoon thunderstorms didn’t put a damper on the evening.”
“The Chamber looks forward to Light Up Night in December,” she added.
The Watermelon Challenge judges had their work cut out for them, judging entrants on Creativity, Taste, and Execution.
“Everyone did such a great job, it made the judging very difficult,” the judges said, anonymously.
And the winners are:
Best Over All went to Sandpiper Pest Control for their irresistible spread – roast pig, chicken legs and watermelon cupcakes.
Creativity
1st Place: Sea Tow Sebastian for a watermelon carving of their tow boat pulling a (cantaloupe) boat in distress;
2nd Place: GFWC Sebastian River Junior Woman’s Club for their pork and watermelon sandwiches
3rd Place: Paradise Florist for watermelon vases and grill carving.
Best Taste
1st Place: Sandwich Shack for homemade watermelon sorbet and watermelon salad;
2nd Place: Kim Ellis Insurance for watermelon daiquiris;
3rd Place: The Cat’s Meow Cat Clinic for watermelon papaya relish and watermelon juice.
Execution:
1st Place:
A Hidden Oasis Day Spa for palm tree watermelon carving, watermelon grill, watermelon salad and watermelon punch;
2nd Place: Sebastian River Medical Center for their “delicious spread of yummy food,” and watermelon decorations;
3rd Place: Video Tech for their Tailgater Party