The profits from the crop later paid Phillips way through college. 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. CAVE CITY, Ark. 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. & Wendell Perkey Farms 870-283-4395, 870-283-5918.Located 2 miles north of Cave City on Highway 167. Order with an open mind, and you will enjoy an explosion of flavor like youve never had before. For Craft & Commercial Vendor Inquiries email Hana @ For Volunteer Opportunities call Robin @ 870-283-1195 If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Although Im perfectly content to drive two hours just to buy a $15 watermelon, you may need some convincing. Among the growers, are one family who are in their third generation of production of the luscious fruit of summer. 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. After returning to Cave City from World War II, Lester became a watermelon farmer in 1945. Johnson Brothers Watermelons is a family operated business consisting of Gary & Becky & Phillip & Julie. "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. Later, the cave was purchased by Dr. G. T. (Dock Tom) Laman. 20/07/2019 . My grower of choice is Johnson Brothers and I can find all of the latest information regarding availability right on their Facebook page. Other students moved into town and boarded with family, friends, or in boarding houses which were made available to entice more students to the school. The Watermelon Parade is at 10 a.m.Live music begins at noon and features Deadwood Grove, followed by The Gravel Yard Bluegrass Band. The plants will have established a root ball in about five or six weeks, and are solid enough to be transplanted. Where's this story? Everything about this festival is a sheer delight, from the pickle juice drinking contest to the Lil Gherkins kids play zone. 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. Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. 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. Organizers and growers say theyve worked harder to prepare for this years festival. 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. Ellis and Ernest Landers had the largest acreage planted in watermelons --- 45 acres. An original postcard of the Crystal River Cave Camp as it appeared in the 1930s. Since their watermelon are known across the state and even the country, a problem farmers often face are imposters. 71 were here. Watermelon Growers Games - In front of Melon stage. 167 North of Cave City. Usually the Cave City Watermelon Festival is held the week after the Hope Watermelon Festival, but this year they were held concurrently. 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. Cave City watermelons are so unparalleled that there is a list of registered growers who put stickers on their products so buyers know their watermelons are official Cave City Watermelons. Pickled foods are, of course, the highlight here, but its comedy-focused too, featuring stand-up shows and touring performers throughout the weekend. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. The Johnsons invite the public to enjoy the fruits of their harvest, arriving at their stand this week. One bite into one of these sweet, juicy melons makes it worth the trip. Around 1980, a group of city leaders actually trademarked the name "Cave City Watermelons" so that anyone who uses that registered trademark to make money off of a different product is actually breaking the law. . 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. 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. We dug holes, put water to make a sluice in the ground and then put the plant in. For Food Vendor Inquiries call Andrea @ 870-283-5301 . He said, I will let them sit there and rot before I take that. Phillip laughed, recalling the story, And thats exactly what happened. Their grandmothers family also grew melons and peddled them door to door after hauling them by wagon to Batesville. The town of Cave City was incorporated in April 1907 with a Mayor-Council form of government. 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. 5 . More than 9 million gallons of water flow from it each hour filling a 10-acre lake and flowing into the Spring River. | Privacy Policy This site is paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds. Brokers would stop and negotiate deals to purchase loads to sell elsewhere. For Food Vendor Inquiries call Andrea @ 870-283-5301, For Craft & Commercial Vendor Inquiries email Hana @ craftmelonvendor@yahoo.com, For Volunteer Opportunities call Robin @ 870-283-1195For Entertainment Inquiries call Tyler @ 870-283-4877, To become a sponsor call Julie @ 870-307-9631, Copyright 2022, Cave City Watermelon Festival. A melon growers' association was formed at Cave City in 1938. 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. Brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers. His son, Eagle Street, later became president in 1942 and served until 1984. The park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 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. 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! Welcome home! One of the main draws to Hardy is the Spring River and its a must if you enjoy floating. Phillip Johnson and his brother have been farming watermelons over 40 years. Below is a list of the fun, unique food festivals and eating opportunities taking place in July 2023. 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. 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. 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." In those days, there were no festival, growers association, or even a sticker brand to market the melons. Johnson attributes the success and love for Cave City's festival to this very aspect: the dedication and family tie that watermelon growers bring to the classic summer treat. Digital Marketing and Design - The Richland Group. Jul 29, 2022Cave City Watermelons, Hunter Bros Melons Hunter Brothers Watermelons- Jonathan and Justin Hunter Main Street in Cave City. Were ready for everybody to come to Cave City.. (Photo from Old Independence Regional Museum, Batesville). 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. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have our registered trademark sticker. 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. Johnson Brothers was established in 1976. Patterson Brothers Farms 501-412-3819.Patterson's stand is located in Cave City, across from Double B's. Watermelon Festival The 2022 Cave City Watermelon Festival is sure to delight. I decided to carry on the tradition and raised my first solo melon crop the next spring. It is something you are going to enjoy. From July 27-29 in Cave City, Arkansas, youll 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. Drifters Coffee Co. Grab an incredible pastry and a cup of joe from this mobile/drive-thru coffee shop with a vintage feel. No one has ever been able to show where the river begins or where it eventually ends. "I think there were three people on the chamber of commerce that got [the festival] going," said. It was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and during part of its early years housed Curia Lodge #144, F. & A. M. A little further north the community of Loyal had been established, near the present location of the Subway restaurant in Cave City, and at the intersection of US Hwy. This and resellers marking the melons up to make so large of profit that the cost of their fruit is much higher than the Johnsons melons at their stand. by Cathy Drew | Jul 9, 2021 | Travel Tips. J.W. This meant a garden hoe. Most dont realize just how far back the watermelon tradition goes, even predating the 1938 establishment of a growers association and the 1980 creation of the Cave City Watermelon Festival, first as a one day event. 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. 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. Cave City also has multiple banks, medical offices and pharmacy, a grocery store, several convenience stores government offices and Cave City Nursing Home. Big Creek Man Cave Whether you are looking for sporting goods, ammo, hunting for a rare book, or just seeking a cool find Big Creek Man Cave is the place to shop. 5:00pm: Main stage Prize Melon Auction benefitting Arkansas Children's Hospital Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused! You can buy the melons outside of the city, but supply is limited and there are imposters. 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. As a kid, I raised watermelons with my grandpa, Billy Carter. "They thrive really well in hot weather so the hot May was really good for growth," Johnson said. Usually the famous watermelons are ready to go by July 4th but this year the crop is a little behind. (Courtesy Joshua Fitzwater) "That was neat,". They offer indoor and outdoor dining and a menu that includes a little bit of everything. As one of Chicagos largest summer attractions since its founding in 1980, The Taste consistently draws over 1 million people, though at its peak it has drawn nearly 4 million, all of them there to sample food from a variety of restaurants from across the city. As the festival inches closer, melons are flying off of stands just as quickly as growers are putting them there. In 1919, J. M. (Roe) Street became president and served in that capacity until his death in 1942. We have confidence in our picking. A cross-section of the Crookneck heirloom watermelon, an indigenous watermelon whose seeds were recovered from an abandoned cave in Arizona. While Johnson says weather pushed back the start of the season, she said that hasnt stopped people from selling out the stands. Outfitters include Spring River Oaks, Many Islands Camp and Canoe, and Southfork Resort. Currently the Johnsons plant 15 acres each year with 1300 watermelon plants per acre. The Cave City Watermelon Festival Facebook page recently posted how to know if it's a genuine Cave City watermelon versus an imposter. Gather around for events such as the biggest happy hour of the summer and enjoy an all-you-can-eat barbecue brunch on Sunday. Gary, laughed and said he told his brother to get her some water. Sometimes the lot is so full the melon trucks cant get in to unload. My dad, .Johnny Carter owned and operated Johnny Carter Farms and I helped him until he passed away in 2009. Authors Note: Some locations may have altered hours, service or be temporarily closed due to Covid. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have the registered trademark sticker. Today, people from around the world come to this small place each summer to help us do just that! They are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday Saturday and are located just outside Cave City on AR-230. There should be enough melons for the 36th annual Cave City Watermelon Festival. All rights reserved. Be sure to fill out all the fields in order to have yours selected. No matter which path you choose from Cave City, have fun yall and do the watermelon crawl. The first post master at Cave City was Thomas J. Wooldridge, whose term began December 16, 1892. Tohi Nature Trail This easy trail is a popular walking and birdwatching trail located just past the WRMC Medical Complex. Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs current publicity chair. That year, the Johnsons attended field days in watermelon fields in Southeast Missouri from Leechville to Hocum, areas where watermelons also grow well. 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 went on to explain that in the early days it was hard to sell a watermelon. Many of the families who lived in these smaller communities resided in those areas for years before the town of Cave City was ever imagined. Since 1980, they've. Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. Procedures for Commercial/Industrial Construction. Cave City melons have "Genuine" stickers, too. It is about an event, about happiness. Watermelon Festival - The 2022 Cave City Watermelon Festival is sure to delight. Source: http://www.kait8.com/story/38582549/cave-city-watermelon-growers-warn-against-knockoffs Share Live music begins at 5:45 p.m. with Anna Brinker, followed by Dixon Street and Tracy Byrd. Circle B Farm Farms 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS (870) 307-0302 403 Brewer Hill Rd Batesville, AR 72501 2. Phillip explained, I am trying to tell Julie how to do it right, how to do it better. Kevin Moore Farms, 870-283-2043.Moore's stand is located on the north end of Cave City. D & S Rodeo If you love rodeo and music, you will want to head to the D & S Arena. It appears that you're using a severely outdated version of Safari on Windows. 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. The park includes the Courthouse which was constructed in 1888 after the original courthouse burned down along with several historic structures. C. S. Lawthorp began promoting the oversized melons to shippers and the local farmers quickly took note. 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. We are very grateful that people like what we produce, Julie said. After the plant sets the melon, or blooms, it is ready to harvest in 30-35 days. 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. Our watermelon growers work hard all year long to produce "The World's Sweetest" watermelons! 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. The event starts Thursday, July 29 with live music. 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. 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