HOPE, AR - The annual Hope Watermelon Festival has been named one of the 10 wackiest summer events in the country by a travel website.
TripAdvisor.com announced ten wacky summer events in the U.S., as chosen by TripAdvisor editors. From the world’s largest mosquito, to a “slugburger” eating contest and bat costume competitions, these events feature off-the-wall fun for travelers seeking quirky pursuits this summer.
TripAdvisor described the Watermelon Festival like this:
Featuring three days of fruity fun, Hope’s annual Watermelon Festival draws crowds of some 50,000 visitors to the southwest corner of Arkansas. Juicy shenanigans include a seed-spitting contest and a watermelon eating competition, which sees competitors vie to devour an eighth of a melon, down to the rind – seeds and all. Even the local politicians get stuck in, in the “politically correct watermelon eating” heat. Awe-inspiring watermelons will also be on display, with some supersize specimens tipping the scales at close to 200 pounds. General admission is free of charge.
The festival will take place August 9 - 11 in the town of Hope. More information is available at
http://www.hopemelonfest.com/.The 10 wackiest summer events are:
1. The Great Texas Mosquito Festival in Clute, TX
2. Slugburger Festival in Corinth, MS
3 .World Chicken Festival in London, KY
4. Humungus Fungus Festival in Crystal Falls, MI
5. Wausau Possum Festival in Wausau, FL
6. Batfest in Austin, TX
7. Hollerin’ Contest in Spivey’s Corner, NC
8. Cream Cheese Festival in Lowville, NY
9. Hope Watermelon Festival in Hope, AR
10.Mattoon Bagelfest in Mattoon, IL
