‘Chief Melon Officer’ Scott Long tackles Guinness World Record
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In July 2017, then Safety Harbor City Commissioner Scott Long organized a watermelon eating contest featuring nine contestants that raised more than $8,000 for various local charities, spawning the idea of going for a Guinness World Record on the second anniversary of the Melons for Moolah event.
In March 2018, Long lost his commission seat to Nancy Besore.
But despite the narrow defeat, Long vowed it wouldn’t prevent him from attempting to set the record—and raising even more money for charity—this summer.
“I plan to serve Safety Harbor in many capacities now that I’ll have about 40 hours of free time on my hands every week,” Long said after the election results came down on March 13.
“Now I have a lot more time to focus on setting a world record!”
The colorful founder of an online poker magazine and recent Safety Harbor Connect contributor hopes to break the record for most participants in a watermelon eating contest on Sunday, July 1 at the Waterfront Park.
But what he really hopes to do is raise a ton of money for a bunch of charities and bring a lot of attention to his beloved Safety Harbor community.
“Just like our inaugural event last year, the goal is to raise a lot of money for area non-profits while enjoying a fun, community event,” the self-proclaimed ‘Chief Melon Officer’ said via email.
“But the big difference this year is that we’ve opened it up to the public in order to set a new Guinness World Record.”
Long explained that all participants and volunteers are being asked to join the group fundraising team on MightyCause.com, where they can choose any public 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to support, and then encourage their friends and family to donate to that cause.
All donations go straight to the chosen organization, minus a modest processing fee from MightyCause, which donors can elect to cover, he said.
Long added that for anyone who wishes to be involved with the event but not participate in the contest, they are looking for 30-50 volunteers to fill positions like stewards and judges.
He also noted the contest is not a “gorge yourself” event; instead, each participant will get one plate of watermelon, and the first to finish in each group of 18 contestants will advance to the finals.
“The first person to finish the tray of melons in the final round will be declared the 2018 Melons for Moolah champion!” he said.
While he hopes to attract the 200 participants necessary to set the world record, Long said the event is really about raising as much “moolah” as possible for several charitable causes.
“We’re not just trying to break the world record,” he wrote. “We’re also trying to do as much good for as many people as possible.”
If you go:
- WHAT: Melons for Moolah, an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for “Most Participants in a Watermelon-Eating Contest” and raise money for various charities.
- WHEN: Sunday, July 1, 2018 (Safety Harbor’s Market on Main runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Melons for Moolah check-in tent opens at 11 a.m., and the competition begins at noon.)
- WHERE: Safety Harbor Waterfront Park, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
- REGISTER: Register by clicking here. (Note:All participants MUST be registered by June 23)
- VOLUNTEER: Volunteer by clicking here.
- SPONSORS: Sponsor the event by clicking here.
- RAISE MONEY: Whether you are a participant, a volunteer or a spectator, use this event to help raise money for your favorite charity by clicking here.
- MORE INFORMATION: melonsformoolah.com
Related content:
- Safety Harbor commissioner aiming for Guinness World Record
- Safety Harbor officials will eat “Melons for Moolah” on Sunday, July 2
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