It is time for the Watermelon Festival Concert and the popular Watermelon Idol Talent Competition. Officials at the University of Arkansas at Hope are pleased to announce the College will sponsor and conduct the Seventh Annual “Watermelon Idol” talent competition during the upcoming 39th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival.
The Festival is scheduled from August 6-8 in the Hope Fair Park. The preliminary competition will take place on the McDonald’s stage in the Fair Park Coliseum Thursday, August 6 at 6:00pm with the finals scheduled for Saturday, August 8th at 6pm on the CMC Steel Products stage in Legion Field.
Talent from the surrounding area is invited to register for the competition, which features cash prizes for the winners as well as the opportunity for the overall winner to open for Sammy Kershaw on Saturday night.
The contest is open to all singers or vocal groups regardless of ages or residency who are not previous Watermelon Idol winners. The two divisions are: single vocal or vocal group. An individual can only enter in one category. Each act will be limited to five minutes and entrants may perform with a pre-recorded instrumental track, perform acappella or with live instrumental backing only. Thirty applicants will be accepted.
The top five in each division will be selected for the finals. A cash prize of $300 will be awarded to the overall winner of the finals with $150 awarded to the runner-up and $50 to the third-place finisher.
For more information or for complete rules, please contact Brent Talley at or 870-777-5722. Entries will be accepted through Thursday, August 6th at 5:30 p.m. or until 30 applications are received. To register for the competition complete an entry form online by clicking the link below. There is no fee to enter.
