Hope Kiwanis Club Hears Watermelon Festival Program For Christy Burns
The Hope Kiwanis Club heard from Christy Burns, Executive Director of the Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce. Burns brought her daughter Kenzi who has been helping deliver Watermelon Festival posters around town.
Burns said this year’s festival theme is “A Seed Spitting Good Time” and the festival will be August 10th, 11th, and 12th. Burns also noted Watermelon Festival t-shirts are now on sale at the festival for $20 for adults and $15 for youth shirts. They will also be on sale at the festival in the Coliseum.
The festival will feature at least 18 concessions this year and as of Tuesday 110 vendors were confirmed. Burns said she expects the festival to ultimately have 125 vendors coming.
Festival week kicks off with the Watermelon Festival Parade Monday August 7th at 6pm and the Watermelon Festival Pageant is set for Tuesday August 8th at 6pm at the Klipsch/City Hall Auditorium. The festival itself kicks off at noon Thursday August 10th with a ribbon-cutting at the Coliseum.
Burns said this year’s “Kids Zone” will be bigger than ever and sponsored by River Valley Tractor. Some of the attractions will include more inflatables, Jelly Ball, games, shaved ice, pony rides, and camel rides.
Thursday night will feature the Jr. Watermelon Olympics at the Cricket Stage (the wooden stage). The adult Watermelon Olympics will be Thursday night at 6pm at Legion Field (8 person teams, minimum 2 female). Teams for the Watermelon Olympics are still be accepted. Also on Thursday night, the dog show will return sponsored by the Hope Animal Shelter and Hope for Paws.
Registration is still open for Watermelon Idol which is set for Friday. The winner performs at 8:20pm prior to the Marshall Tucker Band. The Corn Hole tournament is set for Friday evening as well. Free entertainment Friday night on the Farmers Bank & Trust stage will be Jacob Flores.
The 5k and Melon Mile will be Saturday morning (August 12th). The 5k is at 7:30am and the Melon Mile is 8:30am. Also on Saturday will be the Civitan Club Car Show and registration is still open. The Fishing Derby is at 9am Saturday on Lake Huckabee and the “Duck Waddle” race is at 10am at the swimming pool. The ducks are for sale at the Chamber office.
Marshall Tucker Band tickets are on sale at the Chamber for check or cash. Online Marshall Tucker sales are at hempsteadhall.com.
Burns talked about several other attractions including the Rusty Wheels Antique Engine Show. She noted the Rafter J Living Proof Band will be featured Thursday on the Farmers Bank & Trust stage. Watermelon by the slice will be served under the big tent all three days with slices priced at $2 and $3. Friday entertainment includes Carl Jackson.
The Kiwanis Chicken Dinner is set for Thursday evening at the festival with the Lions Fish Fry set for Friday. Dancetastics will be featured on Saturday morning as well as a Tae Kwon Do demonstration that morning. The schedule can be seen at hopemelonfest.com. Brochures should also be available next week.