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 local businesses enjoyed the Watermelon Olympics Competition last year, so they are gearing up for another exciting competition.
Great News! new festival hours 2018!
These closing hours are for food vendors. If the food vendors choose to stay open later, that is perfectly fine.
Thursday - 12:00 P.M - 8:00 P.M
Friday - 11:00 A.M - 9:30 P.M
Saturday - 9:00 A.M - 9:30 P.M
Vendor application
Thursday, August 8 - August, Saturday 10
watermelon idol
Thursday, Aug 9 (4:30 PM) and Friday, Aug 10 (6:30 PM)
Underwood Stage
Festival program
Plan your day! Check out what's happening this year.
Please review the Hope Chamber Facebook Page.
watermelon 5k run/walk
Saturday, August 11 - 7:30 am -Fair Park Gate
+ Melon Mile Fun Run / Click on link below to register.
Baggo Tournament
Saturday, August 11 from 2:00-4:00
Location: Legion Field at Fair Park