Christy Burns, Executive Director of the Chamber, shared her excitement: “We’re thrilled to bring the community together once again for the Hope Watermelon Festival. ‘Melonpalooza’ is all about celebrating what makes Hope unique. We invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable weekend.”
The festival is bursting with returning favorites, including the antique engine show, car show, Watermelon Olympics, fishing derby, cornhole tournament, softball tournament, dog show, Watermelon Idol, and the fan-favorite watermelon eating and seed spitting contests. Families will enjoy the Kidz Zone featuring inflatables, camel rides, and plenty of exciting attractions for all ages.
New to this year’s festival is Melon Mayhem Wrestling, an action-packed live wrestling event on Friday evening that’s sure to thrill fans of all ages. Also returning is the Melon Jams Open Mic Friday night, giving local talent a chance to shine on the festival stage.
Festivalgoers will enjoy a wide variety of vendors offering handmade crafts, boutique items, and festival favorites, along with a delicious lineup of food trucks serving everything from sweet treats to savory eats.
Capping off the festival on Saturday night, August 9, is an unforgettable concert featuring two iconic voices of classic rock: Jason Scheff, longtime lead singer of CHICAGO, and Tommy DeCarlo, former lead singer of BOSTON. Together, they’ll perform a full night of classic hits from both bands.
“We are beyond excited to welcome The Lead Singers of Classic Rock to the 49th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival,” said Burns. “Their legendary voices and timeless hits will make for an incredible finale to an already jam-packed weekend.”
Concert tickets, vendor applications, and full festival details are available at hopemelonfest.com or in person at the Chamber of Commerce, 201 S. Main Street in Hope. Be sure to follow the 49th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival event page on Facebook for updates and announcements.
For more information, contact the Chamber at hopemelonfest@yahoo.com or call (870) 777-3640.