What is considered to be Arkansas’s first giant watermelon, Hugh Laseter’s 136-pounder, was harvested. The excitement generated from this giant watermelon led to Arkansas’s first watermelon festival, celebrated in Hope (Hempstead County) in 1926. The first five festivals drew large crowds; in 1928, for example, the crowd numbered 30,000, compared to the town’s population of 6,000.
Honor or memorial gifts are an everlasting way to pay tribute to someone who has touched your life. Give a donation in someone’s name to mark a special occasion, honor a friend or colleague or remember a beloved family member. When a tribute gift is given the honoree will receive a letter acknowledging your generosity and a bookplate will be placed in a book. For more information, contact 501-918-3025 or calsfoundation@cals.org.
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