Mississippi
Mississippi watermelons: A great treat to beat the heat
- Grab a watermelon from the grocery store and put it on ice. It will be chilled in time to enjoy while you’re watching fireworks tonight.
In my humble opinion watermelon should be the official food of the Fourth of July. On a steamy hot day, there is surely nothing better than biting into a wedge of ice cold watermelon. Mark Twain even said those who have tasted watermelon “know what angels eat.” How fortunate we are in Mississippi that peak watermelon season runs from mid-June to mid-July, when temperatures are soaring. There’s just no better treat to eat on a hot summer day.
Most large, seeded watermelons grown in Mississippi are Royal Sweet, 720 or Starbright. All have rich, red flesh that is sweet and juicy. There are also smaller “personal watermelons” and watermelons with yellow-flesh. But really, they’re all delicious.
According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, watermelon production, and consumption, has been on the rise in the past few decades. The organization estimates that Americans eat 15.5 pounds of watermelon per person each year. That’s a lot of watermelon seeds to spit out.
Surprisingly Mississippi doesn’t produce as many watermelons as you may think. There are just a few dozen watermelon farmers in the state, and the output is less than one percent of the United States market share, according to USDA data. But there is plenty to go around, and for most people, the quality is more important than the quantity, and we grow delicious watermelons in Mississippi.
They are so good, in fact, that they are celebrated with a festival each year in Mize, Mississippi. Mize is located in Smith County, which arguably grows the best watermelons on earth. For 46 years, the Mize Watermelon Festival has been held in downtown Mize, and it keeps getting bigger every year. This year’s festival will bel held July 19 and 20 and will feature some top-tier entertainment.
Josh Gracin and Karley Nichols will perform on Saturday. Mike Cockrell from the Discovery Channel’s hit show Moonshiners will be at the festival. Mike is a Mize native, and he loves coming home to support the Volunteer Fire Department, the recipient of the proceeds of the festival.
It’s not too late to enjoy a watermelon today. Grab one from the grocery store and put it on ice. It will be chilled in time to enjoy while you’re watching fireworks tonight.
Top Ten Watermelon Facts
- You will not grow a watermelon out of your head if you swallow a seed.
- The U.S. Watermelon Speed-Eating & Seed-Spitting Championships held the first Saturday after Labor Day in September on the grounds of Chandler Park in Pardeeville, Wisconsin. There are rules. You can see them here (in case you want to hold your own backyard competition).
- There is no wrong way to cut a watermelon. They are equally delicious cut into wedges, cubes, sticks, balls, or boats.
- Watermelon is both a fruit and a vegetable, belonging to the same family as cucumbers, pumpkins and squash.
- Watermelons live up to their name. They are composed of 92% water.
- Watermelons are grown in 96 countries.
- The heaviest watermelon recorded weighed 350.5 pounds, grown by Chris Kent in Sevierville, Tennessee. It was verified by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth on October 4, 2013.
- Watermelon has only about 40 calories per cup.
- Watermelon does not contain any bad fat or cholesterol.
- In ancient Egypt, watermelons were placed in burial tombs to nourish the soul after they had passed.
Watermelon Lime Tajin Mocktails
And finally, here’s to the perfect Fourth of July drink from whataboutwatermelon!
Ingredients
- 1 cup seedless Watermelon, diced and semi-frozen
- 1/2 c Water
- Juice from one Lime (or to taste), plus more for rimming the glasses
- Pinch of sugar or honey (if needed)
- Small Lime Wedge (for garnish)
- Tajin Seasoning (for rimming the glass)
Instructions
- Cut the watermelon into slices or “steaks” and then into cubes. Partially freeze on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Using lime juice to adhere, rim the glass with Tajin seasoning. I find that placing the seasoning powder on a flat plate gives the most even coverage. Set aside.
- Add the watermelon, about half as much water, a pinch of sugar (or drizzle of honey) and lime juice (to taste) to the blender. Puree until completely smooth.
- Add to your mini glasses and garnish with a small wedge of lime.
- Serve immediately.
Writer’s Note: A little vodka, gin, or tequila wouldn’t hurt.
Samantha Ricketts credits Mississippi State’s ‘grit’ for rally vs OU softball in Game 1
OU softball alum and Mississippi State coach Samantha Ricketts talks about the Bulldogs’ 11-9 comeback win Friday in Game 1 of the NCAA Norman Super Regional.
By nearly every metric, Mississippi State softball was the underdog in its NCAA Tournament super regional matchup with Oklahoma.
The No. 3 seed Sooners (51-9) hadn’t lost a super regional game since 2015. That is until the Bulldogs (42-18) came back to beat Oklahoma 11-9 on May 22 at Love’s Field in Norman. Mississippi State scored nine runs in the final two innings to win.
The Bulldogs’ win seemed unlikely for a number of reasons. They were playing in just their second super regional while the Sooners were playing their 19th. Mississippi State had never even won a super regional game. Oklahoma had won 18 straight and hadn’t lost one since 2015.
Entering the day, Oklahoma had lost just one game at home this season. Mississippi State was 0-11 against the Sooners all-time, and eight of those losses came under coach Samantha Ricketts, who was an All-American at Oklahoma.
Even Oklahoma’s uniform combination was a recipe for success. The Sooners were 11-0 when wearing white tops and red bottoms.
As if the odds against Mississippi State entering the first game of the best-of-three series weren’t stacked high enough, the statistical improbability of the Bulldogs’ win appeared to grow as the game went on.
According to ESPN, since 2000, the Sooners were 77-0 when leading by four or more runs in a regional or super regional game. Oklahoma led 5-1 in the third inning and 6-2 in the fourth.
This season, Oklahoma was 14-0 when leading after six innings. Mississippi State was 1-15 when trailing after six innings. The Sooners led 9-6 entering the sixth inning thanks to a three-run home run hit by star freshman Kendall Wells.
They were also 42-2 when scoring at least six runs and 31-1 when totaling at least 10 hits. Wells’ home run was hit No. 11.
Still, the Bulldogs found a way to buck all of these trends to take Game 1. Now, Mississippi State has a chance to qualify for the Women’s College World Series for the first time if they recreate this same magic in Game 2 May 23 (noon CT, ESPN).
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 21, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from May 21 drawing
06-08-17-20-29
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from May 21 drawing
Midday: 6-5-2, FB: 1
Evening: 4-7-5, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from May 21 drawing
Midday: 3-9-8-8, FB: 1
Evening: 2-9-4-2, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 21 drawing
Midday: 05
Evening: 05
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
HOOVER, AL — Mississippi State baseball had a chance to bust a myth in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals against Georgia.
MSU hasn’t had issues beating the bad and average teams but has struggled to get wins against the top teams.
A win for No. 8 seed MSU over No. 1 Georgia could’ve extinguished that, but Georgia (44-12) won 5-3 on May 21 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium to eliminate MSU (40-17).
That leaves Mississippi State 9-14 in Quad 1 games, the type of matchups it will need to win to make a run to the College World Series. And four of those Quad 1 wins are against Ole Miss. Mississippi State is 31-3 in Quads 2-4.
“Their spirits are up,” Mississippi State coach Brian O’Connor said. “Obviously they’re disappointed about today. But they really, really believe in each other. And I feel like this team has the skill and want-to to play for a long time.”
Mississippi State had three weeks to prove it can consistently win against elite teams. Its last three series of the regular season were all Quad 1 — at Texas, home against Auburn and at Texas A&M.
Mississippi State lost all three of those series but didn’t get swept in any of them.
However, Mississippi State has been competitive in just about every game. It’s only been run-ruled once, May 9 against Auburn. Six of the 14 Quad 1 losses are by one run and three of them are by two runs.
“We’re playing well,” Mississippi State designated hitter Noah Sullivan said. “We’re all excited. We want to play at home, and hopefully that does happen. But I mean, this game, it is what it is. We didn’t do enough on both sides, and it just is what it is. We’ll move forward, get back to work and see what happens.”
Brian O’Connor believes Mississippi State will host regional
O’Connor said after the loss to Georgia that he believes Mississippi State will be one of the 16 NCAA Tournament teams to host a regional.
D1Baseball had Mississippi State as the No. 14 national seed before the loss to Georgia, and Baseball America projected Mississippi State as the No. 13 seed.
“I hope on Sunday the committee feels that we are worthy of that,” O’Connor said. “I know our fan base and the community of Starkville will do an incredible job hosting a regional welcoming the other teams. And I believe this team has earned the right to be able to do that.”
MSU hasn’t hosted a regional since 2021, the year it won the program’s only national championship.
The regional hosts will be announced May 24 before the full bracket reveal on May 25.
“We’re right there,” O’Connor said. “We just need to be a little bit better starting next weekend in those tight ball games.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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