Best time to go to Arkansas

Hope Watermelon Festival 2023

Find out why Hope is the watermelon capital of America

Dates: August 10–12, 2023

Hope Watermelon Festival

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.

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.

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Last updated: by Dari Vasiljeva