Just in front of the Fair Park Coliseum, a gathering including Hope Mayor Don Still, Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Director Christy Burns (also lead organizer of the festival), several volunteers and winners of the Mr. and Miss Watermelon Pageant stretched out the ceremonial ribbon and cut it asunder with the ceremonial scissors once Thursday's' noon hour struck.

This year’s festival, in common with many in the past, will include displays from dozens of vendors, sports, games, a Kids’ Zone, the Watermelon Olympics, a dog show, concerts, watermelon sold by the slice. It all ends with Saturday’s performance by country star Rodney Atkins. 

Come one and come all.