Work up some melon mojo at annual Hope festival
HOPE, Ark.—Late next week it’s all about the melons in Hope—namely, the watermelons, juicy and delicious, during the 43rd annual Hope Watermelon Festival in Fair Park.
Held Thursday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Aug. 10, this year’s festival features much of what the festival is known for as a celebration of Hope’s beloved red and green fruit: ranging from the Politically Correct Watermelon Eating Contest, Watermelon Eating Contest and Seed Spitting Competition to the Watermelon Weigh-Off and Auction and the Watermelon Waddle Duck Races.
Those watermelon competitions are held on the main festival day, Saturday. Melons are sold by the slice all three days. Festival hours are noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Beckie Moore says a few new changes have been made to this longtime Hope tradition. That includes a new night for Global 1 Pro Wrestling: Thursday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“We’ve also added some photo op cutouts in the Kidz Zone,” Moore said.
This year also brings vendors to the Coliseum for all three festival days. “In years past we only used the Coliseum on Saturday,” Moore said. “We had the opportunity to grow the vendor area.” In fact, they’re full on vendors, exhibitors and food concessions this year.
“We also added some additional music on stages, the east and west stage in the park,” Moore said. People can enjoy an eclectic mix of music throughout the festival grounds. Diamond Rio headlines Saturday night at the CMC Steel Products Stage with the Watermelon Idol finals and Wyatt Putnam opening. For that concert and wrestling, separate tickets are required.
Other highlights of Saturday music
“The concessions will offer a wide variety of food from barbecue to vegan. We have added a dining tent this year, which will allow attendees to sit and enjoy the
delicious food.”
—Beckie Moore
include Cheridy Adams, Piano Man Jack and Carl Jackson. On Friday night, check out DJ Cardona with Latino music and Firewater, plus The Night Hawk Band, MonsterBoy and Piano Man Jack earlier in the day.
The deejay music is by request. “Last year we heard from many, many, many people who said they wanted to hear or see Latino music, a Latino performer,” Moore said. She suggests people brings lawn chairs and enjoy some food while listening. They’ll set aside an area to dance, too.
This year’s festival has 128 vendors and exhibitors, plus 20 concession booths joining this year, said the chamber director.
“The concessions will offer a wide variety of food from barbecue to vegan,” Moore said. “We have added a dining tent this year, which will allow attendees to sit and enjoy the delicious food. We invite everyone to join us to savor the flavor of fun at the 43rd Annual Hope Watermelon Festival.”
Thursday’s entertainment also includes the dog show and a taekwondo demonstration. Historic Washington Vintage Dancers will perform. A baggo tournament is held Friday, and the Lions Club Fish Fry that night gives folks something good to eat. Watermelon Idol starts on Thursday.
Among Saturday’s other highlights are the Rusty Wheels Antique Engines, CMA Motorcycle Show and the Civitan Antique & Classic Car Show.
“We’ve expanded our Kidz Zone so Kidz Zone now has grown to Kidz Zone and Tyke Town,” Moore said. Fun activities there include camel rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, obstacle course, jousting, laser tag, video game truck, face painting, a Hope Public School District Paint the Bus and more.