How to Win a Watermelon-Eating Contest

This Fourth of July you may find yourself involved in one of the quintessential celebrations of summer: a watermelon-eating contest. Here's how to ace the competition.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Salt
• Watermelons

1. Develop a technique. The easiest way is also the messiest, with no utensils, but there are still possibilities for success using a fork or spoon.

2. Swallow the seeds or chew them with your bite of watermelon. Spitting the seeds will cut into your eating time.

3. Make sure your hair is pulled back out of your face, if applicable. You don't want to be distracted from the task at hand.

4. Take lots of small bites you can swallow almost whole. Chewing is another factor that will hurt your eating time.

5. Eat fast and furious. At most contests, the competition is cutthroat.

6. Have fun and worry about the mess later.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice a day or two before the event. As the old adage goes, "Practice makes perfect."

• Bring an extra shirt or wear a bib to avoid having to walk around the rest of the day covered in watermelon juice.

• Salt the watermelon beforehand if you absolutely have to. Stopping to salt during the contest will only slow you down.

• Don't eat or drink too much before the contest. Watermelons are 92 percent water, so you'll fill up fast.