The Hope Watermelon festival features numerous activities including arts and 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. 

Schedule of Events:
12:00pm - Watermelon Festival Ribbon Cutting with 2025 Watermelon Pageant Winners
-Coliseum

12:00pm - Festival Opens
-Vendors: Outdoor/Coliseum/Horticulture Building/Covered Pavilion
-Concessions: Outdoor

12:00pm - River Valley Tractor Kidz Zone Opens
-GellyBall
-Bungee Trampoline
-Sno Cones

12:00pm - Rusty Wheels Engine Show Opens, Glen Scroggins (870)703-1374

12:00pm - Beautiful Baby Contest Display
-Coliseum

12:00pm - 4:30pm - LifeShare Blood Drive

12:00pm - Watermelon by the Slice Opens
-Big tent

4:30pm-7:00pm - Kiwanis Pulled Pork Dinner
-Community Center

6:00pm - Watermelon Olympics, City of Hope Parks and Recreation
-Legion Field
6:00pm - 8:00pm - Living Proof Band
-Farmers Bank and Trust Stage

7:00pm - Dog Show, City of Hope Animal Shelter/Hope for Paws
-Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center Stage