Phillip added, We are not just selling a product. By 1955, the Melon Growers Association met and elected a Board of Directors, consisting of Hassel Ford (President), Silas James, Coy Crow, Verl Ball, and Ernest Landers (who, by the way, was Charles Landers father). Growers Cave City Watermelon Festival . He then began a story about Julies participation, one that was originally supposed to be off the record. It was so good that Julie agreed it would be a good one to tell regarding things that have led to changes they still use today. Growers put a registered trademark stick on the watermelons that reads "Genuine Cave City Watermelon". My wife Britney and our 2 sons also help. Historical Marker An historical marker documenting the Civil War in Sharp County and the Sharp Family in the Civil War can be seen at the corner of West Main and Court Streets. The Watermelon Growers Games will take place at 3 p.m. at the Orilla Vallie Stage followed by the Free Watermelon Feast at 4 p.m. behind the Orilla Valley Stage. They both built homes (on the site of the current location of the Bank of Cave City and on the old bank property just to the north) and moved in by 1890. Charles Osborne Farms (870) 799-3459 PO Box 148 Cord, AR 72524 4. With the help of C. P. (Prince) Matlock, efforts were made to develop the grounds and add cabins to what became known as Cave Courts. CAVE CITY, AR (KAIT) - It doesn't quite feel like summertime in Sharp County until the Cave City watermelons hit the stands and that happened this past week. The owner of Cave City Produce Company is not doing anything illegal. From left, Tyler Parsley, Cederic Etheridge, Jonathan Fowler and Julie Johnson, members of the Cave City Watermelon Festival Committee, stand by some of the melons they will be celebrating July 27-29. One bite into one of these sweet, juicy melons makes it worth the trip. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. 1930's. 20/07/2019 . Live music begins at 5:45 p.m. with Anna Brinker, followed by Dixon Street and Tracy Byrd. Celebrating its 43rd year, the 2023 Cave City Watermelon Festival officials are looking to draw thousands into Cave City for the celebration. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused! They host weekly rodeos with events for everyone in the family every Friday night. This will mark the festival's 30th year. Regardless, its high summer, and Im ready for a sweet treat. The towns population began to be drawn to the larger area of Walnut Ridge and further declined when the highway was built 2 miles outside of town. The cave was both a great asset to the community and a source of mystery. Garrett Duncan walking a growers' Cave City Watermelon . In the beginning, they took trips to sell melons. They were beautiful hot plants. In those days, an average grower planted about 30 acres. | Privacy Policy This site is paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds. While watermelons are at the center of the celebration, the people and businesses that make the Cave City area one of the greatest places in Arkansas are also celebrated. The 41st Cave City Watermelon Festival is set for July 29-31th. From planting in the greenhouse to harvest usually takes about 90 days, depending on rainfall amounts and the variety of melon. After returning to Cave City from World War II, Lester became a watermelon farmer in 1945. Kevin Moore Farms, 870-283-2043.Moore's stand is located on the north end of Cave City. He first spent a short time working on a construction crew that built the current highway that runs through the city the family has called home since before the early 1920s. Watermelon is synonymous with Cave City, and while folks in my neck of the woods go bonkers when a pickup truck with a bed-full of [], Your email address will not be published. They are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday Saturday and are located just outside Cave City on AR-230. (KAIT) -Watermelons are almost ripe for picking for the annual Cave City Watermelon Festival. BREAKING: Student arrested for crime involving explosives, Growers prepare for Cave City Watermelon Festival, Trip to Mr. Ts pays off for lucky lottery winner, Jonesboro police investigating 2 reported shootings, Plans for new Sikeston fire station moving forward, Buddhist monks to create mandala sand painting at Lyon College. While Johnson says weather pushed back the start of the season, she said that hasnt stopped people from selling out the stands. They bring with them lots of experience. The Cave City Watermelon Festival slated for July 29 through 31 is quickly approaching. The first school was taught in Cave City in 1891 and was located at the site of the present Hometown Market. Back to . Many out-lying families moved into town soon after the creation of the new school to better educate their children. She says the festival will still go on as planned. The Street family has maintained a controlling interest in the bank since the time of Roe Streets election in 1919. . Cave Citys watermelons arent touted as the sweetest in the world for no reason. The profits from the crop later paid Phillips way through college. You cant go wrong with anything on the menu, but the onion rings alone are worth the drive. . All rights reserved. The International Festival and Events Association (IFEA) has named the Cave City Watermelon Festival (CCWF) a winner in the 2022 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards. Johnson Brothers Watermelons is a family operated business consisting of Gary & Becky & Phillip & Julie. Cave City's activities in producing watermelons reach as far back as 1938, when a Melon Grower's Association for Sharp and Independence counties was organized at Cave City . Located 15 miles north of Batesville, Cave City has several retail shops in its historic downtown area. Three Chicks Flea Market This vintage market contains a great collection of merchandise just waiting to be discovered by the next treasure hunter. Woods Riverbend Restaurant If you love waterfront dining you are in for a treat at Woods. The festival is Aug. 6-8, and Crystal said it is the biggest event in Sharp County. When you think of farming in Arkansas, you likely imagine vast soybean, [] when said friend has a full slate of activities planned that go beyond the aforementioned fruit. Johnson suggests you could always make the trip to Sharp County to visit one of the grower's own stands as well. It hasnt always been easy. However, one farmer wants you to be aware of . Pittsburgh is out here proving that it might be the city with the best sense of humor, mounting the Picklesburgh festival annually in partnership with Pennsylvania-based Heinz. Thousands are expected to attend the three-day event. You cant go wrong with anything on their menu but be sure to order a Cinnamon Roll Iced Coffee! Phillip Johnson of Johnson Brothers Farms said the below-freezing temperatures in April made them nervous. Johnson Brothers Watermelons. 9:00am - 4:00pm: Cave City Cruziers Car Show - Cave City Park Registration from 9 - 12; Judging at Noon; Awards at 4:00 pm 10:00am: Watermelon Parade 11:30am: Welcome to the Festival! file size: 5 MB. 167 North of Cave City. We worked our tails off all day, did it in cold ground, poured cold water in it, packed them in. Daily Deals This salvage grocery and general merchandise store is one of a kind! 167 and 115. Phillip - 870-307-9632 Gary - 870-283-2854 "Sometimes they do and they have for as long as I can remember," he said. Record collectors dont miss a chance to browse their vintage selections! In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry. CAVE CITY Cave City bills itself as having the "world's sweetest watermelons." Find out for yourself July 29-31 during the 41st annual Watermelon Festival, which offers three days packed Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. Our trip starts in Cave City so whether you choose the route to Black Rock or the route to Mammoth Spring, there are a few places you need to check out before you leave town. But the town began a steady decline when it was bypassed by the railroad in the late 1800s. Brokers would stop and negotiate deals to purchase loads to sell elsewhere. SHARP COUNTY'S WIDEST CIRCULATED AND ONLY LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER. The Johnson watermelon vine continued to spread, and Phillips parents, Lester and Verba Lee, eventually inherited the seed. The Cave City Watermelon Festival Facebook page recently posted how to know if it's a genuine Cave City watermelon versus an imposter. John S. Gibson began hosting a competition for the largest melons in 1916. All rights reserved. Cave City growers just want you to know, it's important to look for the sticker. In 2017, the Cave City Watermelon Festival was inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame by the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Weve worked, it seems like, even harder than normal to make sure we have a great festival this year Everythings in place and were ready to have a festival. Taking the stage at 6 p.m. is The Ellis Family, followed by Believers Worship Group at 7 p.m. and the Jordan Family Band at 8 p.m. Friday activities begin at 8 a.m. and last all day. The town of Cave City was started around 1890 when two brothers, James Andrew (Jim) and John William (Jack) Laman, moved to the present site of Cave City. Below is a list of the fun, unique food festivals and eating opportunities taking place in July 2023. Travelers will also find antique stores and flea markets. This three-day event will be held July 28-30th and will include entertainment, fun vendors, yummy food trucks, a parade, activities for kids and adults, and of course, a free melon feast, which is courtesy of the watermelon growers in the area. Not necessarily "scare-your-pants-off" adventure but the kind where you seek out new and exciting things. 7 - The World's Sweetest Watermelons. Brothers Jonathan and Justin Hunter are the newest and youngest registered Cave City Watermelon Growers. From July 29-31, hundreds of people will flock to Cave City to attend the festival for the first time in over a year. To contact our registered growers, check:. We try really hard to produce a great product. They were sold to brokers, simply by word of mouth, and transported across the nation. KAIT Region 8 News: There will soon be a new monument in Cave City to honor the town's veterans."We've actually been talking about it for several years off and on," Mayor Jonas Anderson said. This free, family friendly event is chocked full of food, entertainment and vendors, not to mention the free, ice cold melons on Saturday. Organizers and growers say theyve worked harder to prepare for this years festival. The prize melon auction is at 5 p.m. and benefits Arkansas Children's Hospital. After a while when I got done, she grabbed a hold of that hoe and threw it across the field and said, I quit. A former Yankee who was "converted" to the south by her husband, Julie has grasped on to rural life in a sleepy, blink-your-eyes-and-you'll-miss-it town in central Arkansas. That Spring, Lester taught his sons the ins and outs of watermelon production that he learned from his own father. Flickr/kitchener.lord. Cave City bills itself as having the worlds sweetest watermelons. Find out for yourself July 29-31 during the 41st annual Watermelon Festival, which offers three days packed full of fun and entertainment for the entire family.Activities include a children's fishing derby, 5K run, car show, pancake breakfast, parade, school alumni reunion, speed eating contest, seed . It is about an event, about happiness. Cave City has held the tradition of celebrating the "world's sweetest watermelons" by holding a watermelon festival every summer since 1980. The Cave City Watermelon Festival will take place July 26-28 at the Cave City city park. Travel east/northeast out of Cave City along AR-230 and AR-25. She leaned back on her hoe and looked back at me. Our goal is to pick them at the perfect stage before they go into the over ripe stage. GREEN RIVER, UTAH - The tiny town of Green River (population 929) may not be big, but it is home to the "World's Largest Watermelon." by Themeansar, Johnson Brothers For the love of watermelons, Sharp County public service entities receive nearly $1.36 million from American Rescue Plan, NO!! Visit www.ozarkgateway.com for more area information. It appears that you're using a severely outdated version of Safari on Windows. BREAKING: Student arrested for crime involving explosives, Cave City watermelon growers warn against knockoffs, Trip to Mr. Ts pays off for lucky lottery winner, Jonesboro police investigating 2 reported shootings. Held in the Cherry Capital of the WorldTraverse City, Michigan, that isthe National Cherry Festival runs for the entire week of July 1-8, a testament to just how celebrated this stone fruit is among locals and tourists alike (We are thrilled to put cherries on the top of everyones mind, reads the official website). When Sharp County was formed in 1868, what is now Cave City was still in Independence County, including north of present-day Cave City to almost the Maxville area. We appreciate the volunteer work already underway around town to prepare for the festival, Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson said. Phillip - 870-307-9632Gary - 870-283-2854. You can also learn more about her writing on her site Seek Adventures Media. Gary and Phillips father, Lester, along with seven or eight of his siblings, learned early on how to properly produce a desirable melon. Little Rock, Conway, Searcy, Benton, Heber Springs, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Springdale, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, West Memphis, Batesville, Mountain View, Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, Arkadelphia. Sadly, their father passed away in June before seeing the first of what is now the 46th harvest of his sons melons and the establishment of Johnson Brothers Watermelons. Please try viewing this website in Edge, Mozilla, Chrome, or another modern browser. Watermelon Growers Games - In front of Melon stage. Today it still stands as the oldest motor court of its kind in the state, and likely the entire region. Every one of them died. But as with any type of farming, errors are what leads to improvement. The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. Watermelon Farms in Cave City, AR About Search Results 1. For Craft & Commercial Vendor Inquiries email Hana @ For Volunteer Opportunities call Robin @ 870-283-1195 The park includes the Courthouse which was constructed in 1888 after the original courthouse burned down along with several historic structures. Accepted file types: jpg, png, Max. Gary said, During this time, they were going more for commercial production for selling them to large cities like Chicago. At that time growers rented stalls in a facility near the present day community center. She now serves as their co-election coordinator, helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and poll worker training. Tim Carter: I am a 4th generation watermelon farmer I cannot remember not being around watermelon farming. 2 talking about this. Laman Bros. General Store (Photo from the Gary Perkey collection.). Most activities are at the Cave . Digital Marketing and Design - The Richland Group. Music starts at 6 p.m. with Erin Walters, followed y MaryBeth Byrd and Danielle Peck. They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. We made a little money and have been doing it ever since, Gary said. Please contact businesses directly for the most recent hours before planning a destination. The festival is the largest in the region. Today not much remains but visitors will enjoy the two state parks located within the community. Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery One of the nations oldest fish hatcheries established in 1903, it was built to take advantage of the natural spring and proximity to the railroad. After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. Renees Cafe This down-home country restaurant is where you will find the locals hanging out. (Photo from Old Independence Regional Museum, Batesville). Over the years, Drew has helped the organization meet new marketing goals, such as in- and out-of-state marketing, assuring that all 100,000 copies of their magazines are distributed each year. Phillip explained, I am trying to tell Julie how to do it right, how to do it better. The seeds are started in the greenhouse in March. You can always check the Cave City Watermelon Festival's website to get information on each of the certified growers. Spring River The Spring River is a favorite spot to fish, swim and float. Try the sloppy joe and you wont be disappointed! The town is home to a growing school district that includes the Cave City Charter High School. Over the years, small communities and churches sprang up in this area of Sharp and Independence counties, many of which established their own post offices and schools. Evening Shade is small but gained some popularity in the 90s when it was the setting for the television show of the same name starring Burt Reynolds. Filed Under . Black Rock Museum Although the museum has no set hours, contact the city to schedule a visit and learn about the history of this small town that sits in the gateway to the Ozarks. No one will ever argue that watermelon blood doesn't run deeply in Cave City. Calico Rock Arkansas Main Street Network will be hosting a Fundraiser for The Sean Hunt Memorial on March 11th from 11 am to 4 pm. Voters again reject proposed Highland School millage increase, Cave City athlete sets school and state indoor track record, Nashville Songwriter with local roots inks new songwriting contract, Arkansas States new Digital Technology and Design Program offers new emphasis areas, West Plains resident reflects on life-saving heart care received at Ozarks Healthcare. My dad, .Johnny Carter owned and operated Johnny Carter Farms and I helped him until he passed away in 2009. The nearest post office, which had been located at Loyal, was physically moved to the new town of Cave City in 1892. If they have banana pudding on the menu, order extra to go! These factors are similar to those you might use to determine which business to select from a local Yellow Pages directory, including proximity to where you are searching, expertise in the specific services or products you need, and comprehensive business information to help evaluate a business's suitability for you. The Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. Johnson says theyve seen more people at their stand and more people in the city in preparation for melon season and the festival. One of the most favorite and anticipated of these camp meetings was the holiness camp meeting held every year at Calamine by ministers of the Nazarene Church. Growers put a registered trademark stick on the watermelons that reads "Genuine Cave City Watermelon". The Cave City Watermelon Festival Committee has added a new event this year called The Chad Wooldridge Memorial Pitch Tournament. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000. The cave at Cave City served as a source of pride for the community for many years, and the Cave Courts housed many tourists who traveled through that area of Northeast Arkansas. Wooldridge says even though COVID canceled the festival last year, it didnt cancel watermelon season, working from sunrise until sundown picking and selling watermelons. The Festival will happen at the Cave City Park. The Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. The 41st Cave City Watermelon Festival is set for July 29-31th. Jul 29, 2022Cave City Watermelons, Hunter Bros Melons Hunter Brothers Watermelons- Jonathan and Justin Hunter Main Street in Cave City. Sadly, this year will be the first time the city will have to cancel the event due to health and safety concerns pertaining to COVID-19. It [doesnt] just start, you know in the spring, but it goes all year, Rustin Wooldridge, a fourth-generation grower, said. "Usually we start setting the first plants somewhere along about the middle of April and that's when we were getting some real cold weather, so we were delayed a little bit in getting the first plants set out," Johnson said. We are excited to welcome everyone back this year.. More than 9 million gallons of water flow from it each hour filling a 10-acre lake and flowing into the Spring River. Phillip spoke of his grandfathers stubborn nature, a trait that at least, in part, led to the success and longevity of his business being carried through to his son and grandsons. To contact our registered growers, check:. The Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. Peck hosts SiriusXMs Y2Kountry and is an accomplished recording artist and performer. Last night, I had a Facebook message from a guy driving four hours to get watermelons. They orderedplants from a greenhouse. Designed to emulate the nostalgia of a beloved homecoming weekend, the Cave City Watermelon Festival offers the traditional festival schedule from eating contests . The cave supplied the drinking water for the local school, as well as serving as a veritable town refrigerator. 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