Watermelons and Arkansas politics collide in Hope festival

By: Ainsley Platt

Outlets: Arkansas Advocate

Published: August 11, 2026

Words: 686

Last Updated: 1 week ago

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The southwest Arkansas town of Hope is known for growing two things: governors and watermelons.

Immortalized by former President Bill Clinton who ran as the “Man from Hope” in 1992, the town of 8,400 is also the birthplace of former Gov. Mike Huckabee, the father of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Hope is as proud of its history producing record-sized watermelons as it is generating politicians. So its annual watermelon festival, which just completed its …

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