HOPE, Ark. - The Watermelon Idol singing competition is live again this year at the Hope Watermelon Festival at Hope Fair Park.
After a brief hiatus last year due to COVID-19 implications, Casey Curtis, communications coordinator for the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, said it's great to get back to tradition.
"Everyone at UAHT and the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce is sincerely happy to be having the Watermelon Idol singing competition and the entire festival in person again this year," Curtis said. "It's easy to take little things like this for granted until they're taken away from you. Usually, the talk around the Watermelon Festival is how hot it's going to be, but this year we're thankful to be able to gather in the heat to celebrate this long-standing tradition."
The contest is limited to 20 entries that will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The first round of competition is Thursday at 4:30 p.m. on the Farmer's Bank Stage.
The final round will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m. on the CMC Steel Concert Stage. The grand prize winner will have the opportunity to open for Phil Vassar at the Watermelon Festival Concert on Saturday night.
"We've had several great singers come through the Watermelon Idol Competition, such as Rachel Hale (American Idol Top 20 Finalist), Wyatt Putman (Nashville Recording Artist), and Mae Estes (Nashville Recording Artist and Arkansas Vocalist of the Year)," Curtis said. "We're excited to see what talent comes our way this year. We hope you can all come out to enjoy the event."
The Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce provides trophies and cash prizes: First place, $300, trophy and opens for Phil Vassar; Second place, $150 and trophy; and third place, $50 and trophy.
The official are as follows:
1.) No professional singers are allowed to enter the competition.
2.) No previous winners are allowed to enter the competition.
3.) There are no separate categories for individual and group acts or age.
4.) The top five acts based on the judges' scores will make it to the final round.
5.) No arguing with or harassing the judges will be tolerated.
6.) If you are late for your time slot, you will be disqualified.
7.) Contestants must provide their own instruments and/or soundtracks.
(For more information, contact the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce at 870-777-3640.)