Country music star Gretchen Wilson is set to take the stage at the 50th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival, bringing her high-energy performance to Hope on Saturday, Aug. 8.
Best known for her breakout hit “Redneck Woman,” Wilson rose to fame with a bold, unapologetic style that quickly made her one of country music’s most recognizable voices. Over the course of her career, she has sold more than eight million albums, topped the Billboard charts and earned a long list of accolades, including CMA, ACM, AMA, CMT, Billboard Music and GRAMMY awards.
Her debut album, “Here for the Party,” achieved 5x platinum status, while her follow-up, “All Jacked Up,” made history at the time as the highest-debuting album by a female country artist.
Wilson’s career continues to evolve decades later. She recently won Season 13 of “The Masked Singer” and has taken on a mentorship role in “THE ROAD” on CBS/Paramount+, working alongside Blake Shelton and Keith Urban to help guide emerging country artists. Her current “Still Here for the Party” Tour celebrates the music that launched her career, while she is also re-recording her debut album with guest artists for a planned 2026 release.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gretchen Wilson to headline the 50th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival,” said Christy Burns, executive director of the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce. “Her powerful voice, incredible stage presence, and iconic hits will make this milestone year one to remember. We look forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of the festival with a night of unforgettable music.”
The Hope Watermelon Festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary Aug. 6–8, featuring arts and crafts, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, food vendors, the popular Watermelon Olympics and, of course, the town’s signature ice-cold watermelons. The concert serves as the festival’s grand finale each year.
Additional details regarding the festival will be available soon on its official website.
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