watermelons

27 Oct

Liberty man repeats title with big watermelon

Bob SuttonFeaturesAndrew Vial, Liberty, North Carolina State Fair, watermelons

RALEIGH — Andrew Vial of Liberty calls his watermelon-growing expertise a hobby. It’s a pretty good one. Vial was the winner again in the Great Pumpkin & Watermelon Weigh-off that’s associated with the North Carolina State Fair at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. Vial was the winner with an entry of 306 pounds. There were 22 watermelons entered into the contest. A year ago, Vial’s 341-pound entry was the largest in the history of the N.C. State Fair. Vial, 39, puts in up to 60 hours a week tending to his crop of watermelons. Second place went to Patrick VanBeck…

20 Oct

Quite a Fair growth spurt

Bob SuttonBusiness, Entertainment, Government, News, StateLiberty, NC State Fair, watermelons

Andrew Vial of Liberty brought the largest watermelon in North Carolina State Fair history (The North State Journal) Liberty man sets mark with large watermelons ASHEBORO — Andrew Vial calls growing big watermelons a hobby. Yet for the Liberty man, it’s truly a passion. He took another watermelon to a big stage and collected another special distinction. His 341-pound watermelon was the largest ever at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh. “You just don’t get melons like that every day,” Vial said. Vial, who calls his remodeling carpentry work his full-time job, said he logs 50 to 60 hours…