HOPE, AR – The Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that rising country artist Mae Estes will open the 50th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival concert on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The evening’s headlining performance will feature Grammy-winning country star Gretchen Wilson.
A Hope, Arkansas native, Mae Estes is quickly becoming one of country music’s most talked-about new artists. Blending the timeless sound of classic country with modern melodies and production, Estes has built a reputation for authentic storytelling, powerhouse vocals, and a style that feels both fresh and familiar.
Mae got her start at just seven years old singing the national anthem in the middle of an Arkansas rodeo arena, and she hasn’t stopped singing since. After spending more than a decade paying her dues in Nashville, she is now earning national recognition across the country music industry.
In 2024, Estes was named AIMP’s Rising Artist-Writer of the Year, was selected as part of CMT’s Next Women of Country Class, and earned her third Arkansas CMA Female Vocalist of the Year honor. In 2025, GRAMMY.com named her one of its “14 Rising Country Stars To Know Now.”
Known for her Neotraditional sound and stellar vocals, Mae has performed on legendary stages including the Grand Ole Opry, Stagecoach, Tortuga, the historic Ryman Auditorium, and Wrangler’s National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. She has also gained a loyal following on social media thanks to her unfiltered personality, heartfelt songwriting, and scroll-stopping voice.
Festival attendees can expect an unforgettable opening performance as Mae Estes brings her Arkansas roots and honky-tonk spirit home to the Hope Watermelon Festival stage.
Following Estes, Gretchen Wilson will take the stage for what promises to be an electrifying night of country music as the festival celebrates its milestone 50th anniversary. Known for hits like “Redneck Woman,” “Here for the Party,” and “When I Think About Cheatin’,” Wilson has become one of country music’s most recognizable voices.
The Hope Watermelon Festival, taking place August 6-8, 2026, is a beloved annual tradition that draws thousands to Hope, Arkansas, for family-friendly fun, live entertainment, arts and crafts, delicious food, and the world-famous Hope watermelons.
For more information, including Early Bird Ticket Sales for the Watermelon Festival concert, contact the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce at (870) 777-3640 or [email protected], or visit hopemelonfest.com. Stay updated on festival announcements, ticket information, and events by following the Hope Watermelon Festival on social media.
