HOPE – On Tuesday, July 14th, the Hope Tourism Board met at City Hall. Chairman Sharon Caldwell called the meeting into order, with Commissioners Juan Rivera and Milko Smith being absent, however a quorum was still in operation.
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as well as the June financial report. The tourism tax for the month of June totaled $83,205.70. This tax is present on hotels, motels, and restaurants. This figure is the highest total in recent years. Their expenses for June totaled to $43,188.30, meaning that the tourism tax from June ended up being two times more than the amount of expenses for the month.
Mayor Don Still and Parks Director Summer Chambers reported on the recent Sparks Fly in July Fireworks Show at the Hope Municipal Airport. The Mayor and the Parks Director both made comments on the success of the 2026 show, reporting an attendance of nearly 4,000. The tourism budget for this year’s show was $25,000 and the expenses were $27,390. Even with the net loss, the Mayor and Parks Director ensured the board that the added cost was well worth it.
Mayor Still also expressed the need for an improved parking plan for future fireworks shows, with Commissioner Dr. Trevor Coffee giving a thought that there should be sponsors for the shows to come.
Discussion was also made about fixing or relocating the “Welcome to Hope” signs present on North Hervey and North Hazel. Both signs are in poor condition. The commissioners tabled this discussion so that other possible locations might be secured for new signs.
The next topic in question was the problem of the main air conditioning unit being out of use at the Hope Train Station / Visitor Center. Commissioners approved a bid to fix the unit from National HVAC.
Parks Director Summer Chambers announced that a public hearing is scheduled for July the 30th regarding a possible grant for a new playground unit to be installed at the soccer fields on Springhill Road.
Covering miscellaneous subjects, Mrs. Chambers reported 118 teams, not including teams on a waiting list, currently signed up for the Watermelon Festival Softball Tournament which begins on Friday, August 7th. This year’s tournament is drawing so much interest, that a film crew from California is expected to cover the games.
In recent years, according to Mrs. Chambers, the tourism commission has offered cash prizes for the softball, soccer, and cornhole tournaments for the festival. These prize amounts will again be $6,000 for softball, $1,200 for soccer, and $500 for cornhole.
The final topic that Mrs. Chambers mentioned was that she has been selected to speak at the National Recreation and Parks Association Conference in September in the City of Philadelphia. While at this, she will be representing the City of Hope.
Commissioners once again tabled the need for some kind of awning for sunlight control at The Hub in downtown. Commissioner Gary Johnson mentioned the need for new direction signs for the Visitor Center / Train Depot to direct visitors from I-30 to the Visitor Center. Someone with the Tourism Board is to check with the Arkansas Highway Department about the possibility of new signs.
To round off the meeting, Mrs. Anna Powell, President of the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation made a presentation about the need for a regional trail plan to increase economic development and spending in Hope and Southwest Arkansas. For example, Powell mentioned the Rails to Trails program and the L + A railroad walking trails south of Hope. Finally, Powell brought up the need for a county committee on this subject in the future. Possibly the best part of this program, according to Mrs. Powell, is that county fun grants can be sought after to help pay for this program.
After Mrs. Powell’s finishing comments, the meeting was adjourned.
