National Watermelon Day

National Watermelon Day happens every year on August 3. It’s a summer holiday built around one of the season’s most iconic fruits, celebrated at picnics, barbecues, and backyard gatherings across the country.

🍉 Other fruit-related days around this time include National Peach Month (all of August), National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month (June), and National Eat Your Watermelon Day on August 3 in some calendars, overlapping with today’s observance.

The Fruit Behind the Fanfare

Watermelon traces its roots back to ancient Egypt and southern Africa, and it eventually made its way to North America, where Native Americans were already growing it by the 16th century. These days, farmers in around 44 states grow watermelon commercially, with Georgia, Florida, Texas, California, and Arizona leading the pack as the biggest producers.

Botanically speaking, watermelon sits in an odd spot. It’s technically a fruit since it grows from a flower’s ovary and contains seeds, but it’s also classified as a pepo, a type of berry with a thick rind and fleshy center, and it belongs to the same gourd family as cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins.

Deals Worth Knowing About

This date usually brings a wave of promotions from grocery stores and restaurants looking to celebrate the season’s biggest fruit. Expect price cuts on whole melons, pre-cut containers, and watermelon-based drinks and snacks.

• Grocery chains like Walmart and Target often discount whole and pre-cut watermelon around this date.
• Farmers markets and local produce stands may run their own specials during peak watermelon season.
• Some restaurants and juice bars roll out limited-time watermelon dishes, salads, or cocktails for the day.

Since watermelon is already in peak season come August, prices tend to be lower across the board, so it’s worth checking local grocery flyers and farmers markets either way.

Fun Ways to Celebrate

• Host a seed spitting contest
• Try a watermelon carving, similar to a pumpkin
• Blend it into a salsa or a summer cocktail
• Visit a pick your own watermelon patch or local farmers market
• Make a frozen watermelon dessert to beat the heat

Watermelon Facts

National Watermelon Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate and share interesting watermelon facts. Here are seven fascinating watermelon facts that make for great social media content and can be shared on your social media platforms to spread the watermelon love on August 3:

• Did you know that watermelons are made up of about 92% water, making them a fantastic hydrating snack during the hot summer months?

• Originating from southern Africa, watermelons have been cultivated for over 5,000 years.

• Watermelons are loaded with vitamins A and C, plus lycopene, an antioxidant linked to heart health.

• There are hundreds of varieties grown across the U.S. and Mexico, in shades of red, pink, white, and yellow.

• In Japan, farmers grow square watermelons by placing the fruit in square-shaped containers while they’re still growing; these uniquely shaped watermelons are often given as gifts.

• The world’s heaviest watermelon weighed in at an astonishing 350.5 pounds, grown by Chris Kent of Sevierville, Tennessee, in 2013.

• Not just the flesh, but the rind and seeds of the watermelon are also edible and packed with nutrients, often used in pickling and roasting.

• Watermelon is the official state vegetable of Oklahoma, despite commonly being considered a fruit due to its sweet taste.

Easy Watermelon Recipes for National Watermelon Day

To celebrate National Watermelon Day, many people look for something a bit more special to do with their watermelons. Here are four quick recipes you could try at home this year:

Watermelon Salsa

Enjoy a refreshing and zesty watermelon salsa that combines sweet watermelon with a spicy kick for the perfect summer dip.

• Ingredients: Diced watermelon, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
• Instructions: Combine diced watermelon, finely chopped red onion, minced jalapeño, chopped cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl. Mix well and season with salt. Serve with tortilla chips for a refreshing twist on traditional salsa.

Watermelon Smoothie

Savor a creamy and invigorating watermelon smoothie, bursting with fresh flavors and perfect for a healthy start to your day.

• Ingredients: Watermelon chunks, Greek yogurt, a squeeze of lime juice, and a handful of ice.
• Instructions: Blend watermelon chunks, Greek yogurt, lime juice, and ice until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy a cool and hydrating smoothie.

Grilled Watermelon

Try something unique with grilled watermelon, offering a sweet and smoky twist that’s perfect as an appetizer or side dish.

• Ingredients: Watermelon slices, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Instructions: Brush watermelon slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill each side for 2-3 minutes until grill marks appear. Serve as a unique and tasty appetizer or side dish.

Watermelon Popsicles

Cool off with naturally sweet and hydrating watermelon popsicles, a delightful treat for hot summer days.

• Ingredients: Watermelon puree, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a touch of honey (optional).
• Instructions: Blend watermelon chunks into a puree and add lemon juice and honey if desired. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze for at least 4 hours. Enjoy a refreshing and healthy frozen treat.