Alabama Watermelon Queen Tour: $25,000
The Alabama Watermelon Association got $25,000 in state-allocated federal funds — part of a $401,367 grant from the Department of Agriculture — to have its spokeswoman go on a promotional tour. The Alabama Watermelon Queen, who won the crown after participating in evening gown and seed-spitting competition, may even have traveled to Capitol Hill to help "industry lobbyists carry their concerns" to Congress.
