Hirakata Farms Rocky Ford Cantaloupe™ Coloring Contest guarantees refreshing cuteness at Little Man Ice Cream

Public invited to join coloring contest, win prizes, play games and taste Colorado’s famous cantaloupe and special Rocky Ford Watermelon mojito sorbet

Thursday, August 17, 2017 — Time to channel your inner Picasso this Sunday at the Hirakata Farms Rocky Ford Cantaloupe™ Coloring Contest at Denver’s iconic Little Man Ice Cream Highlands location. The family-friendly event features games, prizes and samples of fresh-from-the-fields Rocky Ford Cantaloupe courtesy of Hirakata Farms. Additionally, Little Man Ice Cream is bringing back its limited Rocky Ford Watermelon Mojito Sorbet for the occasion.

Here’s the challenge:  Recreate an artfully carved cantaloupe display using crayons and paper.  The contest is open to children and adults, and begins at 2 p.m. with prizes from Little Man Ice Cream and Safeway awarded to the best artists. 

Judging will be handled by some of Denver’s most trusted weather watchers including Katie LaSalle from Denver7 and 9News Storm Chaser and Meteorologist Cory Reppenhagen.

Master melon-carver and Certified Executive Chef Melody Money will demonstrate how she transforms cantaloupes into delicate blooming flowers during the event. 

“We can’t wait to see what Chef Mel and the kids create,” said Michael Hirakata of Hirakata Farms in Rocky Ford. “We love the opportunity to bring families together for fun events like this. It reminds us people enjoy eating our melons as much as we love growing them.”

Rocky Ford Cantaloupes™ are now rolling into Colorado grocery stores and farmers markets daily. The harvest typically ends in September when the first freeze hits fields.

WHAT:        Hirakata Farms Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Coloring Contest

WHEN:       Sunday, August 20, 2-4 p.m.

WHERE:     Little Man Ice Cream: intersection of W. 30th Ave. & Tejon St. in Denver

Contact us
Diane Mulligan PR Contact, M&C Communications
Diane Mulligan PR Contact, M&C Communications
About Hirakata Farms

Hirakata Farms is committed to bringing our customers safe and quality produce. Our family farm covers more than 1200 acres around Rocky Ford Colorado’s Arkansas Valley. We consider ourselves stewards of this land that we’ve been so very fortunate to farm for more than 100 years. We’re dedicated to using our water and other natural resources wisely to ensure that future generations benefit from our legacy.

We are, and always have been committed to the safety and integrity of our produce. Hirakata Farms is a member of the Rocky Ford Growers Association and the lead packer for Rocky Ford Cantaloupe, a melon which has had a perfect safety record since 1887. When you see the Hirakata Farms/Rocky Ford Growers Association sticker you will know our cantaloupes, watermelons, and honeydews have been grown and packaged following stringent national safety procedures.


Hirakata Farms
Rocky Ford, Colorado