Watermelon season in full swing with Fourth of July around the corner

LILLIAN, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Watermelons are a household staple annually when celebrating the Fourth of July.

As people gear up for patriotic festivities, watermelon sales are ramping up and local farms in Baldwin County must prepare for the increased demand.

Cassebaum Farms in Lillian has been preparing for this year’s watermelon season for months.

The farm is a popular place in Baldwin County where people have been coming to buy fresh produce for four generations now. Kelsey Hopper works at her family’s farm and said the watermelon is a hit every year.

“With the Fourth of July right around the corner, we have picked a bunch of watermelon to get ready for our customers,” Hopper said.

This past weekend, they sold more than 300 watermelons and expect to sell even more by Independence Day.

The farm said they have not seen a shortage of watermelon this season despite the recent lack of rain in the area. They credit this to the irrigation system they use to water crops.

Cassebaum Farms grows and sells many different crops, but they say that their corn, tomatoes and watermelon are the most popular among customers. They sell both seeded and seedless watermelons, and Hopper has some advice for people who aren’t sure what kind to get.

“For the Fourth of July tradition, I would probably say go with the seeded, why not cut it open and start spitting seeds at your friends and family,” Hopper said.

Hopper said that her family’s favorite way to eat watermelons in the field is to toss them on the ground to bust them open and dig in.

“Hot weather and juicy watermelon just go together just like peanut butter and jelly,” Wendy Nelson, a returning customer, said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.