1979 - $10,000 World Record Grown by Ivan and Lloyd Bright - Jason and Richard Bright and their grandfather, Dick Erwin, are shown here with Hope's first 200-pound watermelon. The watermelon reached 200 pounds at 8:30 a.m. on the last day of the 1979 festival. Vincent Foster was the 1st visitor in the field that morning. He left church when he heard about the watermelon and went straight to the field still wearing his suit. Also in the picture with Mr. Foster is Pod Rogers who was close behind Mr. Foster that morning. Pod Rogers is credited with re-starting the Hope watermelon festivals. Photo by Susan Bright