These eager folks didn't let the heat deter their chance at winning a trophy for the Watermelon Eating Contest at the 46th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival. Right at noon, contestants lined up for their chance at taking the title, and then an overall contest was held between winners to name the champion! A few locals took away trophies and the overall champion was Hazen Coney from Spring Hill. Each contest can be watched below, and all winners and categories are as follows (pics at the bottom):

Age 0-7
1st - George Sanders - Little Rock, AR
2nd - Amelia Caldwell Little Rock, AR
3rd - Claire Reasback - Little Rock, AR

Age 8-16
1st - Hazen Coney - Spring Hill, AR
2nd - Charlotte Heltz - Little Rock, AR
3rd - Huck Sanders - Little Rock, AR

Age 17 & up
1st - AJ - Hope, AR
2nd - Kim Burkhalter - Blanchard, LA
3rd - Greg Hill - Danville, AR

Overall Champion
1st - Hazen Coney
2nd - AJ

https://youtu.be/HJC92C7nlKchttps://youtu.be/2wQ4srBd4Z8https://youtu.be/rOGq31zJy9Ahttps://youtu.be/4vFiyeg9wpg