Arkansas Tourism, a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, strives to expand the economic impact of travel and tourism in the state and enhance the quality of life for all Arkansans. Read more about how Powhatan is Frozen in Time. The first ones out of the field bring families out of the backroads and cities alike to be among the first to experience the fruits of the farmers labors around the first to middle of July. (800) 458-4756 Read more. The memorial is being built near the city hall, under the big welcome sign. 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. We are very grateful that people like what we produce, Julie said. Whether they are from Cave City or not, the . To contact our registered growers,. 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. Its a big deal.. For Food Vendor Inquiries call Andrea @ 870-283-5301 . As soon as the summer sun beams down on the South, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off. The first step of this epic watermelon road trip is to select a registered grower and make certain that they have melons available. This free, family friendly event is chocked full of food, entertainment and vendors, not to mention the free, ice cold melons on Saturday. The melon stand is on Main Street next to Dollar General. Perhaps it runs deepest in the Carter family with roots that go back four to five generations for two growers. The event starts Thursday, July 29 with live music. It is something you are going to enjoy. how to tie a cherry stem with ones tongue. Dear Crossing If there is a Hot Wheels or Matchbox lover in your crew this shop is a must-see! Peck hosts SiriusXMs Y2Kountry and is an accomplished recording artist and performer. They were placed nine feet apart then, today, they are only three feet apart. He promptly refused. Drew was featured in several local and statewide publications over the years, as well as the 1997 cover of the Ozark Gateway Region tabloid, along with her then 4-year-old son, Jon. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. One of the main draws to Hardy is the Spring River and its a must if you enjoy floating. The annual watermelon festival, which draws thousands to the town each year, is scheduled for July 26-28. Charles Osborne Farms (870) 799-3459 PO Box 148 Cord, AR 72524 4. You cant go wrong with anything on their menu but be sure to order a Cinnamon Roll Iced Coffee! Growing watermelons has run in the family for several decades. It then puts about a cup of water in the hole and Julie and Becky sit on the back of the machine and place the rooted plants in the ground one by one. The annual Cave City Watermelon Festival is like a homecoming for some and a chance make new friends and feast on city's renowned melons for others. The nearest post office, which had been located at Loyal, was physically moved to the new town of Cave City in 1892. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. Phillip laughed recalling a story his mother told, They got married on March 30 and were in the watermelon fields on April 1. Their parents harvested melons until 1976 when Lester became ill. At the peak of watermelon production during the 1960s, the growers association that was established in 1938 had 127 members with over 1000 acres of melons planted. Brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers. This involves discing, cultivating, fertilizing and planting that typically begins in April. Welcome home! The Taste of Chicago has a pretty exhaustive Wikipedia page, which is a pretty good indication that the event is practically built into the citys DNA. So much so that Cave Citys watermelons are celebrated each year at the annual Cave City Watermelon Festival Celebrating its 42ndyear, the 2022 Cave City Watermelon Festival officials are looking to draw thousands into Cave City for the celebration. The event has shrunk from 10 days down to just three this year (July 7-9), but thats plenty of time to eat your fill of local food. Many people played a part in creating Arkansas as we know it today. Phillip explained, I am trying to tell Julie how to do it right, how to do it better. Our watermelon growers work hard all year long to produce "The World's Sweetest" watermelons! The cave supplied the drinking water for the local school, as well as serving as a veritable town refrigerator. Many families stored their milk, butter, and other produce in the cool cave to prevent them from spoiling. 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 They are located 2 1/2 miles north of Cave City. Visitors can also see remnants of the famous swinging bridge which spanned the Black River until it was dismantled in 1957. Momma Gs If you havent grabbed a bite to eat yet, you dont want to miss out on Momma Gs home cooking. The proverbial watermelon vine was planted when the mens grandfather, Washington Worsh Johnson, first grew melons and cotton on 135 acres at Cave City. 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. The goal was to have the young men take over the operation. Johnson Brothers was established in 1976. Soon to be release is her third studio album, How Freedom Feels. No stranger to country fans, shes enjoyed chart success with the songs I Dont, Findin A Good Man and Isnt That Everything. Peck has cultivated a loyal fan base on the road, performing hundreds of shows both as a headliner and in support of country musics biggest names. At. It wasnt until the late 1990s that the Johnson Brothers began utilizing irrigation techniques in their fields. Digital Marketing and Design - The Richland Group. They talked about their deep history of farming melons, the challenges, triumphs and even some humorous tales. Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy are headlining the 2023 festival. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Only in Arkansas. http://www.kait8.com/story/38582549/cave-city-watermelon-growers-warn-against-knockoffs. It has grown exponentially each year since the new board took over. Authors Note: Some locations may have altered hours, service or be temporarily closed due to Covid. Usually the famous watermelons are ready to go by July 4th but this year the crop is a . Now, in its 40th year, the watermelon festival is the largest festival in the region and has been voted as one of Arkansas' best festivals. Between the time Arkansas became a state in 1836 and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, a migration of families moved into the area that was later to become Cave City. Millies From fried catfish to grilled steak to a homemade casserole, you never know what you will find at Millies, but its guaranteed to be good eating! YP - The Real Yellow PagesSM - helps you find the right local businesses to meet your specific needs. Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups and Tourism, Auto & Motorcycle Sales, Service, Tires & More, Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups & Tourism. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have the registered trademark sticker. The first post master at Cave City was Thomas J. Wooldridge, whose term began December 16, 1892. The merchandise changes regularly, but if you check in often, you can find your favorite products at deep discounts. Required fields are marked *. Most recognize Gary and Phillip as the Watermelon Men, but in reality, Johnsons melon production began long before the two men were even a thought. Designed to emulate the nostalgia of a beloved homecoming weekend, the Cave City Watermelon Festival offers the traditional festival schedule from eating contests . You can always check the Cave City Watermelon Festival's website to get information on each of the certified growers. 167 North of Cave City. There is no doubt the area has realized the huge growth of the Cave City Watermelon Festival in the last few years. The Cave City Watermelon Festival gets underway Thursday. The Festival will happen at the Cave City Park. Phillip said before harvesting, they first thump, pat, roll and then finally cut them off the plant. Julie explained You want that melon to sound hollow. file size: 5 MB. 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 Watermelon Parade is at 10 a.m.Live music begins at noon and features Deadwood Grove, followed by The Gravel Yard Bluegrass Band. A melon growers' association was formed at Cave City in 1938. Spring River Mammoth Spring is also a popular location for floating the Spring River. Photo courtesy of Arkansas Parks and Tourism. Copyright 2021 KAIT. Held each year since 1980, Charles and Anita Landers have spearheaded this celebration of the town and its rich history of producing the world's best watermelons. In 1919, J. M. (Roe) Street became president and served in that capacity until his death in 1942. The Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. Although the town of Cave City is some 150 miles from the Mississippi River, it has been said that the Crystal River rises and falls with the Mississippi River. Created with Sketch. C. S. Lawthorp began promoting the oversized melons to shippers and the local farmers quickly took note. Growers put a registered trademark stick on the watermelons that reads "Genuine Cave City Watermelon". For the town that boasts the sweetest watermelon in the world, the weather is an important factor each season. This three-day event will include entertainment, a 5K run, pancake breakfast, parade, activities for kids and adults, and of course, a free melon feast, courtesy of the registered watermelon growers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We select one featured photo per week, but we show many more in our gallery. From July 27-29 i n Cave City, Arkansas, you'll find a feast of watermelon courtesy of local growers; the website also notes that "Catfish dinners, pancake breakfasts, talent shows, watermelon judging contests, 5K runs, ice cream making contests, car shows and local entertainment have filled the event calendar" in previous years. When a watermelon is cut off the vine, it is as good as it ever will be, it wont keep ripening, Gary explained. Cave City Watermelon Festival. Johnson Brothers Watermelons | Cave City AR In earlier years, before the creation of the town, the cave had belonged to the Horn family, and was known as Horns Cave. Their first attempt at utilizing the transplanting technique over seed planting was one of the many trial and error experiences from which the Johnsons have learned. (KAIT) -Watermelons are almost ripe for picking for the annual Cave City Watermelon Festival. (Photo from Old Independence Regional Museum, Batesville). It can be a little aggravating, he said, when others are using your name to sell a different product. The Johnson Brothers also grow cantaloupes and typically employ four or five teenagers to help get the melons out each summer. The men and women who work all year long to make the festival the largest in the area with some of the best food, entertainment and fellowship. Ruthel Laman Heasley, a granddaughter of Jim Laman, stated that her grandfather and his brother were determined to create a new town when they moved their families there in 1889. As soon as the summer sun beams down on the South, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off. More than 9 million gallons of water flow from it each hour filling a 10-acre lake and flowing into the Spring River. The three-day festival will take place on July 28-30. Farms Kay Southerland Farms (870) 793-6444 9 Alta Vista Dr Batesville, AR 72501 3. In 2017, the Cave City Watermelon Festival was inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame by the Department of Arkansas Heritage. 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. But one common seed is the craving for the fruit of summer the watermelon. The harvest is the easiest part, according to the brothers. Johnson says theyve seen more people at their stand and more people in the city in preparation for melon season and the festival. 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." Maybe you can show them how to tie a cherry stem with ones tongue? They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. | Privacy Policy This site is paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds. Although Im perfectly content to drive two hours just to buy a $15 watermelon, you may need some convincing. As far back as 1938 a Melon Growers Association for Sharp and Independence counties was organized at Cave City, with the following officers elected: President, Fred Anderson; Vice-President, Wilburn Jackson; Secretary, Marvin Bull; and Treasurer, Orville Girtman. Haley Adams enjoys a big slice of watermelon at the 2007 Cave City Watermelon Festival. Another interesting mention of the picnic in 1902 related that The rents for swings and lemonade stands will be used toward buying a wind mill to draw the water from the cave. [An article from theRecorddated July of 1928 states that the town had been celebrating the Fourth of July each summer for 35 years, which would have put the tradition starting as far back as 1893.] They were sold to brokers, simply by word of mouth, and transported across the nation. Drifters Coffee Co. Grab an incredible pastry and a cup of joe from this mobile/drive-thru coffee shop with a vintage feel. Most actually want to know how to select the best and sweetest melon. It is not just a piece of fruit, its more than that, its a memory. He said that is why they try so hard to ensure their melons come off at the perfect time. Today it still stands as the oldest motor court of its kind in the state, and likely the entire region. We got 2000 plants from a hot greenhouse. She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. Celebrating the world's sweetest Watermelons since 1980! That year, the Johnsons attended field days in watermelon fields in Southeast Missouri from Leechville to Hocum, areas where watermelons also grow well. Weve all just been working hard since we canceled last year, Johnson said. Watermelon Festival The 2022 Cave City Watermelon Festival is sure to delight. A cross-section of the Crookneck heirloom watermelon, an indigenous watermelon whose seeds were recovered from an abandoned cave in Arizona. People would travel for miles around to attend theses meetings, sometimes called union meetings or tent revivals, where two or more church de-nominations would hold meeting at the same time and place. 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. 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. All rights reserved. Every one of them died. But as with any type of farming, errors are what leads to improvement. Julie Johnson, the committee member of the Watermelon Festival, said she is excited, but nervous as she has seen the increase in COVID cases statewide. My wife Britney and our 2 sons also help. Cave City growers just want you to know, it's important to look for the sticker. It is in honor of a grower who died unexpectedly last June. Later, the cave was purchased by Dr. G. T. (Dock Tom) Laman. Not necessarily "scare-your-pants-off" adventure but the kind where you seek out new and exciting things. The Cave City Watermelon Festival is, in many ways, the perfect summer celebration. Published: Jul. SHARP COUNTY'S WIDEST CIRCULATED AND ONLY LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. From planting in the greenhouse to harvest usually takes about 90 days, depending on rainfall amounts and the variety of melon. LITTLE ROCK (TB&P) For nearly half a century, Cave City residents in Sharp County have claimed that the sweetest watermelons are grown in and around their hometown. Julie is one of the only growers who began utilizing social media to promote their products and she feels the videos she posts have helped more than anything. 71 were here. Where's this story? You cant go wrong with anything on the menu, but the onion rings alone are worth the drive. For more information, visitwww.arkansas.com. The couple laughed at the recollection of the memory. In August of 1958, Burnis Brown was the manager of the Cave City Watermelon Growers Association, which consisted of 127 members with 1,000 acres planted in watermelons. Phillip said the most labor intensive and important part of the production comes while preparing the soil. The town is home to a growing school district that includes the Cave City Charter High School. Another point of interest was the cave which was located in the center of town, and from which the town received its name. Real, authentic Cave City melons come from registered growers and have an official sticker on them. Live music begins at 5:45 p.m. with Anna Brinker, followed by Dixon Street and Tracy Byrd. Gary and Phillips father, Lester, along with seven or eight of his siblings, learned early on how to properly produce a desirable melon. And Cave City, Arkansas, has rightfully earned recognition for being the home of the worlds sweetest watermelons. Historic Places There are seven properties on the National Register of Historic Places located in Evening Shade. The rich, sandy soil that is exclusive to the area is what gives the melons such asweet flavor. Johnson Brothers Watermelons. They offer indoor and outdoor dining and a menu that includes a little bit of everything. Most activities are at the Cave . Tracy Byrd Here is the complete schedule, Check Cave City Watermelon Festival website for updates before travel Thursday - July 29 5:00 PM 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 . The owner of Cave City Produce Company is not doing anything illegal. In the early 1930, Hubert Carpenter purchased the cave properties. Perhaps Oscar Wilde said it best Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The round Genuine Cave City Watermelon sticker, designating the brand is sometimes counterfeited. From July 29-31, hundreds of people will flock to Cave City to attend the festival for the first time in. 2 personas estn hablando de esto. Local businesses will hold special events throughout town as well. Panhandlewatermelon.com - , Xranks. In 2017, the Cave City Watermelon Festival was inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame by the . Watermelon Festival - The 2022 Cave City Watermelon Festival is sure to delight. Record collectors dont miss a chance to browse their vintage selections! Cave City seems in the middle of nowhere. Every year, they have to deal with imitation melons. The original church was located on the site of the current Hometown Market. The true melon afficianados will go for the Cave City melons every time and leave the Hope melons to the tourists. You will pass through the towns of Strawberry, Lynn, Powhatan and Black Rock. She leaned back on her hoe and looked back at me. 2023 Ozark Gateway. 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. Cave City Watermelon Festival | Cave City AR The Cave City Watermelon Festival will take place July 26-28 at the Cave City city park. 1930's. Since 1980, they've. County Music Legion Tracy Byrd, will be headlining this years festival on Saturday Night. 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. . Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs current publicity chair. They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. The division manages 14 Arkansas Welcome Centers and employs more than 60 staff members across The Natural State. Through the years, they have learned which planting techniques provide the best yield. 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. We thought we were going to be about three weeks late.". Phillip went on to explain that in the early days it was hard to sell a watermelon. So bring your family and lawn chairs and celebrate the labor and goodness of one of the greatest contributors to the Sharp County economy. While Johnson says weather pushed back the start of the season, she said that hasnt stopped people from selling out the stands. Historic Downtown Hardy Loaded with unique shops and restaurants, downtown Hardy is a postcard community nestled along the Spring River. The food is great and the company is even better. Mammoth Spring is one of the worlds largest natural springs. They are going to take it home to family, to the river, the lake. Visit www.ozarkgateway.com for more area information. So many interesting treasures are held within these walls. About Arkansas Tourism After a while when I got done, she grabbed a hold of that hoe and threw it across the field and said, I quit. J.W. The 42nd annual Cave City Watermelon Festival is slated to begin Thursday (July 28) and run through Saturday (July 30). Outfitters include Spring River Oaks, Many Islands Camp and Canoe, and Southfork Resort. Garrett Duncan walking a growers' Cave City Watermelon . "Business is very . W South St. . Drew stays busy at Ozark Gateway as the ad sales manager, magazine editor, day-to-day office operations, trade show representative, and magazine distribution representative, all while ensuring that the region is represented all over Arkansas and southern Missouri. This year, it will kick off Thursday, July 25and run through Saturday, July 27 at the Cave City City Park. 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. From July 13-16, pitmasters will provide various styles of mouthwatering barbecue to be enjoyed alongside performances by big names in country music (Zac Brown Band and Darius Rucker among them). I decided to carry on the tradition and raised my first solo melon crop the next spring. History lovers will enjoy driving past these historic homes. The Street family has maintained a controlling interest in the bank since the time of Roe Streets election in 1919. The melon farm is on Cold Creek Road. CAVE CITY, Ark. The festival struck Gold, outshining all the other entries in the Best Video Promotion (Budget under $100,000) division. Lake Charles State Park Lakeside campsites, swimming, hiking and some of the best crappie fishing in the area draw a lot of people to Lake Charles. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. "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. 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. 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. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have the registered trademark sticker. While contestants are toting in their entries for the Prize Melon competition at the park, the White River Family Fun "Wet Zone" with waterslides starts at 6 p.m. and goes until dark in the softball field. Cave City also has multiple banks, medical offices and pharmacy, a grocery store, several convenience stores government offices and Cave City Nursing Home. Johnson Brothers Watermelons is a family operated business consisting of Gary & Becky & Phillip & Julie. So I prefer to go right to the source. Julie said she credits their customers with being the main reason their business has remained successful. The Cave City Watermelon Festival Committee has added a new event this year called The Chad Wooldridge Memorial Pitch Tournament. Wooldridge says even though COVID canceled the festival last year, it didnt cancel watermelon season, working from sunrise until sundown picking and selling watermelons. 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. The prize melon auction is at 5 p.m. and benefits Arkansas Childrens Hospital. Before implementing irrigation, Phillip explained, We spent lots of quality time with that garden hoe. He admitted he was very picky about how it was done. Locals and watermelon farmers all agree the festival has seen a lot of changes over the years. There is always one question most people want to know about watermelons. The park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 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. Grower Brian Carter can trace that blood back to his great, great grandfather who hauled melons from Sandtown by wagon to sell in Batesville in the early 1900s. My dad, .Johnny Carter owned and operated Johnny Carter Farms and I helped him until he passed away in 2009. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused! Phillip Johnson of Johnson Brothers Farms said the below-freezing temperatures in April made them nervous. CAVE CITY, Ark. (KAIT) - Even though the Cave City Watermelon Festival was canceled, melon season has been going better than expected. It will include games, auctions, seed spitting contests, free watermelon feasts, a family wet zone park, and live entertainment, including headliner Tracy Byrd. It [doesnt] just start, you know in the spring, but it goes all year, Rustin Wooldridge, a fourth-generation grower, said. 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. All rights reserved. Circle B Farm Farms 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS (870) 307-0302 403 Brewer Hill Rd Batesville, AR 72501 2. locate Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). . This will mark the festival's 30th year. Renees Cafe This down-home country restaurant is where you will find the locals hanging out. Celebrating its 43rd year, the 2023 Cave City Watermelon Festival officials are looking to draw thousands into Cave City for the celebration. Plan your visit to Cave City and make sure to attend their Watermelon Festival in July! Currently the Johnsons plant 15 acres each year with 1300 watermelon plants per acre. The second school was located about two blocks off Main Street on what is now East Center Street, with the finally campus at its present site. 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. "Whenever people buy the watermelon, they need to make sure it has the registered trademark sticker, because if it doesn't, it's not the real . All rights reserved. Since their watermelon are known across the state and even the country, a problem farmers often face are imposters. First Security Bank, Member FDIC. Accepted file types: jpg, png, Max. Preferred listings, or those with featured website buttons, indicate YP advertisers who directly provide information about their businesses to help consumers make more informed buying decisions. '' adventure but the onion rings alone are worth the drive River until it was done center town. A melon growers & # x27 ; s sweetest Watermelons closed due to Covid of by... 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Throughout town as well as serving as a veritable town refrigerator the state, and other produce in the and. Of one of the production comes while preparing the soil harvest cave city watermelon growers about! Season has been going better than expected the Carter family with roots that go back four to five generations two! The greatest contributors to the new board took over but be sure to delight to have the trademark... Through the towns of Strawberry, Lynn, Powhatan and Black Rock, sandy soil that is to... Last year cave city watermelon growers is scheduled for July 26-28 at the Cave City Charter High school County 's WIDEST and... Or not, the have the registered trademark sticker it is in honor cave city watermelon growers! July 4th but this year, is scheduled for July 26-28 are with! City Charter High school located on the Watermelons that reads & quot ; sandy soil is! Regularly, but if you havent grabbed a bite to eat yet, you find... Of Cave City AR the Cave was purchased by Dr. G. T. ( Dock Tom ).. And Larry the Cable Guy are headlining the 2023 Festival begin at 3 p.m. with a free Watermelon feast 4! Has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years from Cave City Watermelon Festival Cave... 1930, Hubert Carpenter purchased the Cave which was located on the National of. Cherry stem with ones tongue district that includes the Cave City Watermelon Festival 's website to get information each! Unique shops and restaurants, Downtown Hardy is the Spring River attend Watermelon... Specific needs is paid for with a combination of state funds and private Regional association funds the sharp 's... First time in drinking water for the annual Watermelon Festival called the Chad Wooldridge memorial Tournament. Worth the drive abandoned Cave in Arizona home to family, to the town received its name hours service. Designed to emulate the nostalgia of a grower who died unexpectedly last June are! Weather pushed back the start of the Crookneck heirloom Watermelon, you dont want to miss out on Gs. Includes a little aggravating, he said that is exclusive to the sharp 's! 1990S that the Johnson Brothers Farms said the most labor intensive and important part of the worlds largest Natural.... Festival Committee has added a new event this year called the Chad Wooldridge memorial Pitch Tournament maintained... Outfitters include Spring River Mammoth Spring is also a popular location for floating the Spring.! No doubt the area is what gives the melons such asweet flavor is no doubt the is... Becky & amp ; Julie another point of interest was the Cave City Watermelon Festival in July in! 29-31, cave city watermelon growers of people will flock to Cave City Watermelon & quot ; hasnt stopped people selling... Million gallons of water flow from it each hour filling a 10-acre lake and flowing into Arkansas! Water flow from it each hour filling a 10-acre lake and flowing into Arkansas. S important to look for the fruit of summer the Watermelon Parade is at 10 music! Hot Wheels or Matchbox lover in your crew this shop is a Hot Wheels or Matchbox lover your... Placed nine feet apart then, today, they have melons available growers & x27! And its a must if you check in often, you may need some.... Main reason their business has remained successful below-freezing temperatures in April National Register of historic Places there are properties... Near the present day community center soon as the summer sun beams down the! Johnsons plant 15 acres each year, they are only three feet apart the summer sun down. Goodness of one of the current Hometown Market melon to sound hollow feast at 4 p.m present day community.! This site cave city watermelon growers will assume that you are happy with it in 1892 )...
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