Kimberly McMahan told the Hope Lions Club Monday that Hype & Glory professional wrestling will return to this year's Hope Watermelon Festival, and for the first time in recent years, fans will be able to enjoy the matches free of charge as part of the festival's entertainment lineup.
McMahan, administrative assistant and membership manager for the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce, previewed the Golden Jubilee edition of the 50th annual Hope Watermelon Festival, walking Lions through the schedule of events planned for Aug. 6-8 while also highlighting activities leading up to the festival's opening.
She said this year's festival theme is "Golden Jubilee" and noted that activities actually begin several days before the festival grounds open. "We will start the festivities on Monday, August 3, with the Watermelon Parade, and then on Tuesday, August 4, it will be the pageant," McMahon said. "The official day for the festival will be on Thursday."
McMahan said the gates at Fair Park will open at noon Thursday, bringing with them the familiar mix of arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, children's activities and live entertainment that festivalgoers have come to expect.
She said Thursday's schedule will include the start of the Rusty Wheels Engine Show, the Kiwanis Club's pulled pork being served, the Watermelon Olympics and the annual dog show to conclude the evening.
Turning to Friday's activities, McMahan said visitors can expect another full day of vendors, food trucks and entertainment before announcing one of the festival's returning attractions. "We will have wrestling again this year, and it will be a free event this year," she said, adding that the ring will be located between the restrooms and the beef barn on the Fair Park grounds.
She said Friday also will feature corn hole competition, open microphone performances, appearances by the Vintage Dancers and the beginning of both the adult and youth softball tournaments.
McMahan said Saturday will begin early with the Watermelon 5K and Melon Mile before moving into a full day of festival activities that includes the Civitan Car Show, the Kid Zone, the Antique Tractor Club, Watermelon Idol and Junior Watermelon Idol competitions. Then starting at 11, the watermelon eating contests and seed-spitting contests for all ages. She said the Hope Piranhas also will conduct a swimming exhibition and duck race at the city pool, while Elite Cheer and Tumbling will perform on one of the festival stages.
An attraction many have fond memories of is also making a return this year. "Another free event that we have that is coming, that's an older event from way back when, is arm wrestling," McMahon said. She said local volunteers have taken charge of organizing the event, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday on Farmers Bank & Trust's stage.
McMahan said the festival will conclude Saturday evening at Legion Field with a concert featuring Hope native Mae Estes opening for Grammy Award-winning country artist Gretchen Wilson. The winner of Watermelon Idol will perform first. The concert starts at 6 p.m. Gates open at five.
"I really think it's going to be a great way to close out the 50th Watermelon Festival with that show," she said.
She reminded those attending the meeting that official festival shirts are already on sale at the Chamber office in gold, gray and red and encouraged residents to purchase them before Chamber staff relocates to Fair Park for festival week.
"They are going pretty fast, so I would just come and get them at the chamber before we move to the park," McMahan said. "Because once we move to the park the week of the festival, they will be gone like hotcakes."
McMahan also noted that concert tickets are available through the Chamber office, at the Coliseum office during festival week and online. She said residents can also find festival schedules and updated information on the festival website.
During a brief question-and-answer session, McMahan said plans for a festival treasure hunt have not been finalized. She also said the Watermelon Parade is expected to follow the traditional Christmas Parade route along Main Street.
