Considered as the Watermelon Capital of the world, Hope City held enormous watermelon festivals, which accommodated more than 20,000 people back in the early 1900?s. During those times, people would sell watermelons to train passengers stopping by at Hope. A large parade and a ?Watermelon Queen? pageant would usually launch the festival. In 1931, however, the festivals came to an end as a result of the depression.

After almost forty years, another big festival was organized as a celebration of Hope?s 100th year. The sensation of this 1970?s festival paved way for more festivals that attracted up to 50,000 visitors in just a period of four days. Today, the annual Watermelon Festival continues to take place every August, featuring several activities including food, entertainment, Arts and Crafts, and of course, more watermelons.