The countdown is on and with the watermelon festival fast approaching, the local watermelon stands are selling out fast. Earl Saunders at Saunders' Produce, at the intersection of South Main and Highway 29, says he has sold over 1200 watermelons already this season! What can be attributed to their success? A customer who arrived at the stand today told our SWARK.Today reporter, "These are the sweetest watermelons I've ever eaten!" She bought eight more!

Watermelons aren't the only goodies to be found at this stand; fresh-picked corn, okra, cucumbers, and tomatoes are also available. These veggies are gown at the Saunders' farm located between Hope and Bodcaw while the watermelons are grown in the Red River bottoms. Saunders' Produce also has fresh eggs available for purchase.

Saunders' Produce has had this stand around three years now, but farming has been in the family for generations. Earl's daughter and son-in-law also work the stand throughout the week, and Earl's mother, who has been farming her entire life, visits from time to time and says she, too, has never tasted a watermelon so sweet. Earl gave a sample to our SWARK.Today reporter and she can agree; that is some great watermelon!

Saunders' Produce is open seven days a week. Monday through Saturday they try to get there around 8:30 or 9:00 in the morning and stay until 4:00 or 5:00pm. On Sundays, they open around noon and hang around a few hours in case anyone wants to stop in. Earl says those who want to tomatoes, though, need to come early because they sell out fast each day. Saunders produce is at the intersection of South Main and Highway 29.

Stay tuned to SWARK.Today for Part 3 of It's A Watermelon Life.