The city of Hope in Arkansas has three Guinness World records for the world's largest watermelons. The annual Hope Watermelon Festival is held in August to showcase the most famous product of the local agriculture industry. The three-day festival at Fair Park in Hope features the Politically Correct Watermelon Eating Contest and a seed spitting contest, about 300 arts, crafts, and food vendors, a children fun zone, a giant watermelon auction, and a baggo tournament. There are live music and plenty of ice-cold watermelons by the slice. The festival attracts about 15,000 attendees every year.
Live Music
In 2024, country music singer Rodney Atkins will be the headliner of the annual Hope Watermelon Festival. Rodney Atkins, who was named the Top New Male Vocalist at the ACM Awards, is known for his singles “Caught Up In The Country" and "Watching You," which was declared the Number One Song of the Decade by Country Aircheck. The concert will take place on August 10. General admission tickets for the concert are $25 for adults, day-of-show tickets are $30. Kids' admission is $10 on the day of the show. Reserved seating tickets are $45.
Other Highlights
Hope Watermelon Festival hosts the Watermelon Olympics Competition every year as well as 5K Race/Walk, a softball tournament, a golf tournament, a dog show, and the "Watermelon Idol" talent contest. There is a car show near the swimming pool and much more fun activities for the whole family.
One of the largest festivals in Southwest Arkansas also hosts the Global 1 Pro Wrestling, BMA Motorcycle Show, Watermelon Waddle Duck Race, and GospelFest, an indoor video game station, and outdoor Laser Tag Center, camel or pony rides, and a petting zoo. Kids can also participate in the Watermelon parade. Hungry visitors may opt for dinners organized by the local civic clubs and indulge on down-home fares like locally grown golden fried catfish and smoked chicken.
Festival Hours
On Thursday, August 8, the festival runs from noon to 9 pm; on Friday, August 9, from 9 am to 9 pm; and on Saturday, August 10, from 9 am to 9 pm.
Festival History
Hope Watermelon Festival dates back to the 1920s, when the local Chamber of Commerce organized a one-day Festival for the first time. The main highlights of the early-day festival were a "Watermelon Queen" pageant and a large watermelon parade. The festival gathered around 20,000 annually until 1931, when the city could not accommodate large crowds because of the Great Depression.
