Hempstead Watermelon Festival

08/14/2026

Karlea Cruz is honored to serve as the 2026 Hempstead Watermelon Queen.

Karlea is a junior at Hempstead High School and a student in the Early College program. She is actively involved in several school activities, including Varsity Cheer and FFA.After graduating from High School, Karlea plans to attend college and pursue a career as an ultrasound technician, where she hopes to help families during some of life’s most meaningful moments.

As the 2026 Hempstead Watermelon Queen, Karlea is excited to represent the City of Hempstead, Hempstead Watermelon Festival, and Hempstead Commerce & Civic Association (HCCA) throughout the year. She is grateful for the love and support of her family, friends, sponsors, and community.

Karlea looks forward to serving as a positive role model, making lasting memories, and celebrating the traditions that make Hempstead so special.

08/01/2026

Photos will be uploaded soon....

07/30/2026

2026 Hempstead Watermelon Festival Parade video!!!

07/29/2026

07/28/2026

2026 Hempstead Watermelon Festival BBQ Awards!!

07/27/2026

Congratulations to the Watermelon Growers contest:

Commercial Growers
Grand Champion Pablo Rivera
Reserve Champion Evangelo Economu

Jubilee - 1st Place Evangelo Economu
Jubilee - 2nd Place Pablo Rivera
Jubilee - 3rd Place Craig Hood

Black Diamond - 1st Place Walker DiIorio
Black Diamond - 2nd Place Lany DiIorio

Yellow Meat - 1st Place Craig Hood

Seedless - 1st Place Coalition for Rural Landowners

Home Growers
Smallest Melon Edi Wood
Largest Melon Pablo Rivera
Ugliest Melon Daniella Oldham w/Hill Country BBQ
Prettiest Melon Laney DiIorio
Youngest Grower Daniella Oldham w/Hill Country BBQ

07/27/2026

Hempstead Watermelon Festival BBQ Cook-off results......
TOP TEN.

OVERALL RESULTS - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP:
1. The PitFather BBQ
2. Big O's BBQ
3. Big Juicy BBQ
4. Pop A Top Cookers
5. Kanned Heat
6. East Texas Smokers
7. Chicken Fried BBQ
8. Bullhorn BBQ
9. Smoking & Toasting BBQ
10. JNT Barbecue

Chicken Results:
1. East Texas Smokers
2. Ten Paces BBQ
3. JNT Barbecue
4. Bullhorn BBQ
5. Bullfrog’s BBQ
6. Big O’s BBQ
7. Always Forward BBQ
8. Last Minute Cookers
9. Tiny E BBQ
10. The Barbque Store

Rib Results:
1. Big Juicy BBQ
2. JNT Barbecue
3. Big Horn BBQ
4. Bearfoot Cookers
5. The PitFather BBQ
6. Pop A Top Cookers
7. Always Forward BBQ
8. Smokin’ Aces BBQ
9. Lost In the Smoke BBQ
10. Hoo Kares Kookers

Pork Results:
1. Chicken Fried BBQ
2. Loud & Heavy BBQ
3. Big O’s BBQ
4. Smoking & Toasting BBQ
5. The PitFather BBQ
6. Pop A Top Cookers
7. East Texas Smokers
8. JNT Barbecue
9. Bullhorn BBQ
10. Big Juicy BBQ

Brisket Results:
1. Kanned Heat
2. Rusty Junk BBQ
3. LC BBQ
4. Chicken Fried BBQ
5. Hoo Kares Kookers
6. The PitFather BBQ
7. The Cherry Pits BBQ
8. Smoking & Toasting BBQ
9. Smoke Show BBQ
10. Meat Hussler BBQ

CBA Future of BBQ Junior Results:
1. Jr - Little Shut Up & Smoke
2. Corgi Cookers
3. FOB - Clarissa Mejia
4. Lil Bro’s BBQ
5. Jr - Pop A Top Cookers
6. Peanuts BBQ
7. Lil Juicy’s BBQ
8. Ten Paces BBQ 3.0
9. Silly Brothers
10. Sure Shot Jr

CBA Future of BBQ Senior Results:
1. Little Hatch’s BBQ
2. First Class BBQ 2.0
3. Running Boar BBQ
4. Joker’s N Smokers Jr
5. Ms Sure Shot

Send a message to learn more

07/23/2026

07/22/2026