2025 June 14-21 Watermelon Festival
Theme
Celebrating Hampton County's
Animal Advocates
Thanks to our sponsors that
make this festival a success.
More to come!!
2025 Grand Marshal
Dr. Mark Sease is the 2025 Watermelon Festival Grand Marshal. He is accompanied here by festival co-chairs William Koger and Zoe McCrary.
2025 Watermelon Festival Grand Marshal
Dr. Mark Daniel Sease
Dr. Mark Daniel Sease was born on April 3, 1957 in the Bamberg County Hospital, Bamberg, South Carolina. He was raised on the family farm in the St. Johns Community near Ehrhardt, the eldest son of Fred and Helen Sease.
Mark attended grades 1-4th Ehrhardt Elementary, 5th through 8th grades at Bamberg Elementary, and Andrew Jackson Academy for grades 9 through 12. While at Andrew Jackson Mark played basketball and baseball; his senior year he was treasurer of his class, student body president and class valedictorian.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Mark attended Clemson University as a pre-veterinary major for two years. During his sophomore year, having the highest average in the pre-vet class, his advisor suggested he seek early admission to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. He was subsequently selected for Matriculation in the Fall of 1977, and graduated Magna Cum Laude and third honor graduate in June 1981. Upon graduation from vet school, Mark was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-professional studies from Clemson in August 1981. Wishing to return to his roots, Mark established a mixed animal practice on the family farm near Ehrhardt from 1981 to 1985. As the ag economy changed, Mark was advised by a family friend and veterinarian to change the focus of his practice to the Hampton & Allendale County area. Hampton Animal Hospital was established near Hampton in June of 1986 and a new 2500 sq foot facility was built and occupied in the town of Hampton in June of 1994.
Mark has been a cradle roll member of Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church near Ehrhardt for 68 years. He has served as adult Sunday school teacher for 35 years. He is presently a tenor in the church parish choir, associate treasurer of the congregation, and church council chairman.
A former secretary of the Salkehatchie Cattleman’s Association, Mark is also past president of the Colleton Bamberg Young Farmer’s Association. He holds a 44-year membership in the America Veterinary Medical Association, The South Carolina Association of Veterinarians, and the Clemson IPTAY Club.
In his spare time, Mark can be found on the farm driving his antique Farmall tractors and walking the family property enjoying the outdoors.
Celebrating Hampton County's Animal Advocates
Animal Care Fund of Hampton County
The mission of the Animal Care Fund of Hampton County is to provide support for animal welfare and care programs, including the Hampton County Animal Shelter, to provide animal fostering, and to implement a TNR (Trap Neuter Release) program for feral cats, all within Hampton County, South Carolina. Kelly Brown saw a need and created ACFHC IN September 2022. ACFHC efforts have resulted in over 365 cats being spayed and neutered since March 2023. ACFHC has also provided food and shelter to numerous dogs, cats, & cat colonies. ACFOHC has found homes for dozens of dogs both locally and in connection with Pilots & Paws flying puppies to their forever homes in Virginia and Maryland.
Hampton County Animal Shelter
Organizational Overview: The Hampton County Animal Shelter is dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of animals in our community. Our mission is to rescue abused, neglected, and abandoned animals, provide them with compassionate rehabilitation, and place them in safe, loving forever homes. In addition to rescue and adoption efforts, the Shelter plays a vital role in community education, focusing on disease prevention, responsible pet ownership, and the importance of spaying and neutering to combat pet overpopulation.
Hampton County Watermelon Festival Parade
Click above for a link to the PRTC live parade video starting Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 10:15 am.
Watermelon Festival Giveback to the community Awards 2024
Brant Dobson - Dominion Energy Linemen
Jack Hutto - Adopt a Classroom Project
Jack Hutto - Hampton United Methodist Church
Hampton Garden Club - Joan Brown, Mary Benton, Dawn Winn