Watermelons have long been a calling card for the City of Hope.
The Hope Watermelon festival features numerous activities including arts & crafts, food, entertainment and other family-oriented activities. Local civic clubs hold dinners featuring such down-home fare as smokey pulled pork and golden fried catfish. What else can you do at the festival? You can participate in a 5k race, participate in Watermelon Olympics, enter the "Watermelon Idol" talent contest, browse the car show, and have a blast in the Kidz Zone.
Vendors & Concessions:
WE WILL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AS LONG AS WE HAVE AVAILABLITY!
2026 Vendor Applications are CLICK HERE!
2026 Concession Application CLICK HERE!
We WILL NOT offer one day only vendor spaces.
Vendors Apply Here → Concessions Apply Here →
2026 festival hours of operation:
Thursday, Aug 6th: 12pm-9pm
Friday, Aug 7th: 9am-9pm
Saturday, Aug 8th: 9am-9pm
50th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival Concert August 8th, 2026
Country Superstar Gretchen Wilson to Headline 50th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival Concert
Hope, AR – The Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce country music powerhouse Gretchen Wilson will headline the 50th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival Concert on Saturday, August 8, bringing her signature grit, powerhouse vocals, and chart-topping hits to the festival’s milestone celebration.
Wilson burst onto the country music scene from the honky-tonk grit of her mega hit “Redneck Woman” and quickly became one of the genre’s most recognizable voices. Since her debut, she has sold more than eight million albums, topped the Billboard charts, and earned numerous accolades including CMA, ACM, AMA, CMT, Billboard Music, and GRAMMY awards.
Born in the small town of Pocahontas, Illinois, Wilson’s journey from working in local kitchens to dominating country radio helped redefine authenticity in country music. Her debut album, Here for the Party, went 5x platinum, and her follow-up release All Jacked Up made history at the time as the highest-debuting album by a female country artist.
Wilson continues to make headlines in a new era of her career. She recently stunned audiences nationwide as the winner of Season 13 of the hit television show The Masked Singer. She also stepped into a high-profile television role alongside Blake Shelton and Keith Urban in THE ROAD on CBS/Paramount+, where she served as Tour Manager and on-air mentor helping guide the next generation of country performers.
Her current “Still Here for the Party” Tour celebrates the music and stories that made her a fan favorite, delivering high-energy performances packed with hits, heart, and the rebel spirit that first captured audiences two decades ago. Wilson is also currently in the studio re-recording her breakout album Here for the Party, which will feature guest artists on each track and is anticipated for release in late spring 2026.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gretchen Wilson to headline the 50th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival,” said Christy Burns, Executive Director of the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce. “Her powerful voice, incredible stage presence, and iconic hits will make this milestone year one to remember. We look forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of the festival with a night of unforgettable music.”
The Hope Watermelon Festival, hosted by the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce, will celebrate its 50th anniversary August 6–8, 2026, featuring arts and crafts, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, delicious food, the Watermelon Olympics, and the festival’s famous ice-cold Hope watermelons. The annual concert serves as the festival’s grand finale on Saturday night.
Be on the lookout for sponsorship opportunities and upcoming Early Bird ticket sales announcements.
For more information about the Hope Watermelon Festival, contact the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce at (870) 777-3640, hopemelonfest.com or hopemelonfest@yahoo.com.
After the Early Bird sale, advanced general admission tickets will be available for $25 for adults, while day-of-show tickets will be $30. Children’s tickets will remain $10 on the day of the event. For those looking for the best seats in the house, reserved seating tickets are available for $45.
The concert will take place at the Hope Fair Park grounds, with gates opening at 6:00 PM. The show kicks off at 7:00 PM, and the highly anticipated headliner will take the stage at 8:00 PM.
