HOPE, Ark. (KSLA) - Watermelon festival, Melonpalooza, is set to provide tons of fun for thousands of visitors.

The annual Hope Arkansas watermelon festival kicked off today at the fairgrounds in Hope. Each year, the event brings thousands of people to Hempstead County to enjoy arts and crafts, but the main draw is the big melons.

“We are you going to weigh this melon right here, but we cannot let nobody know what it weighs because we would be giving out our secret,” says Ronald Kid, watermelon grower.

Growers like Ronald Kid said there will be plenty of melons available. This is the festival’s 49th year, which is sponsored by the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce. Kristy Burns is president.

“Our festival runs today from noon to nine, and Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 9 p.m.

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