Hope Watermelon Festival 2009

The 2009 Hope Watermelon Festival is thought to be the best one in several years. Good weather combined with several new events attracted large crowds to the 33rd annual event. The highlight was Saturday night when country star Tracy Byrd took to the new CMC Steel Products stage for a rousing concert. When Byrd sang his signature "Watermelon Crawl", a local group performed the "Watermelon Crowd" line dance. Attendance figures are not yet available for the concert but the crowd was considerable.

The "Politically Correct" watermelon eating contest was emceed by State Representative Bubba Powers and despite the presence of such luminaries as Governor Mike Beebe and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, Hope Vice-Mayor David "DJ" Johnson took home the trophy for a 6th consecutive time. The watermelon eating contest overall winner was Michelle Harrison, last year's adult division winner. Last year's overall winner, 11 year old Sabrina Bear of Bodcaw came in second but won her age division.

A new event this year, the lawn-mower races, attracted approximately 750 people to the Fair Park Rodeo Arena Satureday morning. The event was an officially sanctioned race by the Lone Star Mower Association.