The old saying is that the more things change, the more they stay the same. This year, the Hope Watermelon Festival has some big changes in the works.

The festival will feature a concert by country music star Tracy Byrd on Saturday, August 8.

Advance tickets are $12 for general admission. These tickets will be $15 on the day of the concert. Reserved seating is $40 and children’s tickets are $6. Tickets are available at various locations around Southwest Arkansas, including all Diamond Bank locations. Tickets are also available at www.uacch.com. The concert is a joint effort of the UACCH Foundation and the Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s festival is running three days instead of four, from August 6-8. The Gospel Music Show that is usually held on Sunday afternoon will be held on Friday night. The concert will feature Karen Peck and New River. There will not be a “Watermelon Olympics” this year and Margie Dansby’s Gospel Train won’t be performing.
 
The new length of the festival is a direct result of vendors and volunteers, according to Mark Keith, executive director of the Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce.
“I’ve had requests from several individuals and vendors to shorten the festival,” Keith said. “It helps the volunteers, too. The hot weather is a factor and there is a trend with festivals emerging to try to do more in a shorter space of time.”

Old favorites coming back this year include Guernsey burgers, which is a very popular attraction. There will also be a Chinese Food booth, and two locals, Amigo Juan’s and Big Jakes will be there with booths.
“There are at least the same amount of vendors this year, if not a few more,” Keith said. “We have about 12-14 food vendors coming and between 205 and 210 arts and crafts folks coming.”

Events begin at noon Thursday, when the arts and crafts booths open. Venues include the Hope Fair Park Coliseum, the midway, and a rustic cattle barn. Thursday’s events include the Kiwanis Barbecue Chicken Supper, featuring Tyson chicken, which will be held inside the Fair Park Community Center, as well as the annual dog show on the BancorpSouth Stage.

The preliminary “Watermelon Idol” contest will be held at 7 p.m. on the McDonald’s Stage. One thousand dollars in cash will be given away as well as a chance to open for Tracy Byrd Saturday night. The “Watermelon Idol” contest is sponsored by UACCH.

Events Friday get underway when the arts and crafts booths open at 9 a.m. The Lions Club Fish Fry is set from 4-7 p.m. at the Community Center. A new attraction to this year’s festival is the lawnmower races, scheduled for 4 p.m. at the rodeo arena. At 6:30 p.m., Beta Sigma Phi will hold the “Little Miss and Little Mr. Watermelon” pageants inside the coliseum on the McDonald’s Stage. Entertainment on Friday includes Jim Barentine and Friends and Cameron Stovall on the BancorpSouth Stage.
The McDonald’s Stage will feature the youth from the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council “Arts at the Heart” program. Friday’s entertainment highlight will be the annual Gospel Show on the BancorpSouth Stage at 7 p.m., featuring Karen Peck and New River.

Events get kicked off Saturday morning with the Watermelon 5 K Run/Walk. This event begins at 7:30 a.m. and is part of the R.R.C.A. Grand Prix Series. Applications are available for the event at the Chamber of Commerce.

The Watermelon Festival Car Show gets underway at 8 a.m. near the swimming pool. There is a $15 entry fee for participants. The arts and crafts booths open at 8 a.m. and the Business and Professional Women’s Bingo, which has been a long-standing tradition at the festival, begins at 9 a.m. in the coliseum.

Also, on Saturday, the Sports Card Show will be held in the Beef Barn from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. The lawn mower races will be held in the rodeo arena from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Scott Bittle, of Hope, is the coordinator of the races.
Other activities returning on Saturday include the Melon Miles Kids Fun Run at 9 a.m.; the 12th annual Motorcycle Show, sponsored by A.B.A.T.E.; the Melon Judging and Auction at 10 a.m. at the Super 1 Tent, and Money in the Haystack at 10 a.m. UACCH will offer festival-goers a chance to play “Hillbilly Horseshoes” at 11 a.m. in front of the BancorpSouth Stage and noon brings the Watermelon Eating Contest, and “The Politically Correct Melon-Eating Contest.”

The melon-eating contest is for office holders and those who are running for office. This event is held on the First National Bank Stage, as is the seed-spitting contest at 1 p.m.

A variety of entertainment will be featured on the BancorpSouth Stage on Saturday, The group “JOY” will be featured as will “Adoration,” and Rudy Preston. The Watermelon Idol finals will also be there at 3 p.m.
Kids are not left out of the festival either. The Game and Fish Aquarium will be on hand and there will be an antique engine show sponsored by the Rusty Wheels Engine Club.

Hope watermelon will be available by the slice for $1 and $1.50 on Thursday, from 5-9 p.m.; Friday, from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

This year’s festival is dedicated to the memory of founder Pod Rodgers, as well as watermelon growner, Ivan Bright, and businessman/promoter Carter Russell. The presenting sponsor is Tyson Foods and corporate sponsors include Super 8, BancorpSouth, Southern Bakeries, UACCH, First National Bank of Hope, and Super 1 Foods.

Information on the festival is available by calling the Hope/Hempstead Chamber of Commerce at 870-777-3640, or by visiting www.hopemelonfest.com.