Watermelon Festival in Hope, Arkansas
The 42nd annual Watermelon Festival takes place at Fair Park in Hope, Arkansas, August 9, 10 and 11, 2018.
Yes, there will be watermelons (they’re grown hereabouts), but all sorts of other things are planned — an arts & crafts fair, food, entertainment, and other family-oriented activities. Look for a 5K race, dog show, talent contest and (gulp!) pro wrestling (that’ll be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. August 11).
Local civic clubs will hold dinners featuring such down-home fare as locally-grown smoked chicken and golden fried catfish. It’s all sponsored by the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce.
Returning this year – the Watermelon Olympics will be held, pitting local teams against each other in such events as the melon-toss. The festival also features a number of melon-oriented events including the seed-spitting contest and the watermelon eating contest.
And what of the famous Hope melons? Those attending will be able to see some of the bigger melons of the year, some tipping the scales at close to 200 pounds. Ice-cold watermelon will be sold by the slice for $1.25 each day, and numerous melon growers will have whole melons on sale at the festival for visitors to take home.
