HOPE – A Watermelon Festival classic unfolded on the final day of the festival as the annual Watermelon Eating Contest for All Ages was held on the Hope Public Schools stage. Contestants had their opportunity to eat from a slice of the good life in a wild race to win the competition. The participants were ordered into three categories: 0-7 years old, 8-16 years old, and 17 & up. The emcee for the evening was the famous Dave Phillips who has played his part in the watermelon eating contest and the seed spitting contest for 30 years. With a great trial for all, here are the few that made it to the top:
0-7 Winner: Clarkson West (Springhill, LA)
8-16 Winner: Wrigley Lee (Hope, AR)
17 & Up Winner: Cortez Brown (Springhill, LA)
Overall World Grand Champion: Wrigley Lee (Hope, AR)
Pictured from left to right: Clarkson West, Avery Johnston, Cooper Landes
Pictured from left to right: Jayden Jackson, Wrigley Lee, Jasper Skaning
Pictured: Long-serving emcee Dave Phillips. Davis Johnson photos