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 locally grown smoked chicken and golden fried catfish. What else can you do at the festival? You can participate in a 5 k race, take in a dog show, enter the "Watermelon Idol" talent contest. The Urban Cowboy Reunion Tour staring Mickey Gilley & Johnny Lee will headline the Friday night concert in the park! Saturday night concert will mark the return of gospel music...Gospel Fest! Pro Wrestling will return this year on Saturday from 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM.
Great News! new festival hours 2018!
These closing hours are for food vendors. We will have a Friday night concert + Saturday evening
Pro Wrestling & Gospel Concert, so may choose to stay open until the end of the concert each night.
Thursday - 12:00 P.M - 7:00 P.M
Friday - 10:30 A.M - 9:30 P.M
Saturday - 9:00 A.M - 7:00 P.M
Vendor application
Thursday, August 9 - August, Saturday 11
watermelon idol
Thursday, Aug 9 (4:00 PM) and Friday, Aug 10 (7:00 PM)
Underwood Stage
Registration Form Coming Soon!
Festival program
Plan your day! Check out what's happening this year.
Coming Soon! →
watermelon 5k run/walk
Saturday, August 11 - 7:30 am
Fair Park Gate
Registration Form Coming Soon! →
little miss & Mister watermelon
ATTENTION: This pageant will no longer
be a part of the festival.
baggo tournament
Saturday, August 11 from 2:00-4:00
Location:
Legion Field at Fair Park