Abra Perkey - 870-307-2666 Rustin Wooldridge - 870-283-9914Stand is located at 1424 Hwy. 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and while folks in my neck of the woods go bonkers when a pickup truck with a bed-full of [], Your email address will not be published. However, one farmer wants you to be aware of . Roadside stands are found throughout the city. The Johnsons reputation is based on the sweetness and perfection of their melons and they dont want to put the responsibility of cutting them off the vine on anyone else. 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. As soon as the summer sun beams down on the South, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off. 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. Grab a cooler and gas up the tank because we are heading out in search of good eats, unique treasures and scenic vistas. This often makes others think all Cave City melons are priced as high as that of the resellers who are selling them out of town. It is located two and a half miles North of Cave City on Hwy. After the plant sets the melon, or blooms, it is ready to harvest in 30-35 days. Cave City's registered growers plan to keep the town's tradition alive, and start preparing for the 41st Watermelon festival. Every year, they have to deal with imitation melons. Laman Bros. General Store (Photo from the Gary Perkey collection.). This included transplanting. The harvest is the easiest part, according to the brothers. The nearest post office, which had been located at Loyal, was physically moved to the new town of Cave City in 1892. CAVE CITY, Ark. (800) 458-4756 Read more. Click here to learn how owner Marc Herring overcame adversity during the pandemic, then stop by and shop the craft mall. They would unload their melons so the brokers could pick them up without having to waste time going into the fields. One thing the city does to try and avoid this problem is that all certified Cave City watermelon growers put a sticker on their melons to show where they are from. That's saying somethingsince Johnson and his brother were raised in the watermelon fields as their parents also grew them. That congregation has continued to grow and is currently adding to its present structure to accommodate an ever-expanding membership. how to tie a cherry stem with ones tongue. http://www.kait8.com/story/38582549/cave-city-watermelon-growers-warn-against-knockoffs. 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. One of the earliest references to a Fourth of July picnic at Cave City was in the Sharp County Recordnewspaper in June of 1899, planning a picnic for that year. Back to . For the town that boasts. Photo courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Your email address will not be published. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. Visitors can also see remnants of the famous swinging bridge which spanned the Black River until it was dismantled in 1957. Haley Adams enjoys a big slice of watermelon at the 2007 Cave City Watermelon Festival. It had been known for years that local Indians had used the cave for dwellings. Cave City watermelon growers warn against knockoffs Cave City, Arkansas KAIT Region 8 News: It doesn't quite feel like summertime in Sharp County until the Cave City watermelons hit the stands and that happened this past week. 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. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have our registered trademark sticker. There is no doubt the area has realized the huge growth of the Cave City Watermelon Festival in the last few years. All rights reserved. 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. It hasnt always been easy. With a wagon and team, Worsh hauled his melons out of the field and placed them in Big Creek near present day North Ridge Road to cool. On her blog, Seek Adventures, Julie shares about the outdoor and travel adventures of her family as they camp and standup paddleboard across the South. YP, the YP logo and all other YP marks contained herein are trademarks of YP LLC and/or YP affiliated companies. Head due north out of Cave City for a beautiful trip that will take you through Evening Shade, Ash Flat, Hardy and Mammoth Spring. They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. 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. Gary and Phillips father, Lester, along with seven or eight of his siblings, learned early on how to properly produce a desirable melon. 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. 7 - The World's Sweetest Watermelons. Real, authentic Cave City melons come from registered growers and have an official sticker on them. CAVE CITY, Ark. "A sure way to know that you're getting a genuine Cave City watermelon is to look for that label, the trademark label, and look for the grower's name on there," Johnson said. This year, it will kick off Thursday, July 25and run through Saturday, July 27 at the Cave City City Park. 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. 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 prize melon auction is at 5 p.m. and benefits Arkansas Children's Hospital. The building for that church was completed in 1898 and existed until the Methodist Church was united in 1939. I have people from Dallas and Chicago drive all the way to Cave City, Arkansas just to come to our place get melons. . Town and family lore have it that the post office was secretly spirited out of Loyal and rolled on logs to Cave City after the presidential election of 1892 placed more friendly Democrats in charge of the postal department! She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000. Cave City School - All School Reunion Time: 12:00 p.m. Place: Cave City Middle School Cafeteria Watermelon Games - for the public Time: 1:00 p.m. Place: In front of the Melon Stage Watermelon Growers Games Time: 3:00 p.m. Place: In Front of the Melon Stage Free Watermelon Feast Time: 4:00 p.m. Place: Behind the Melon Stage Spring River Mammoth Spring is also a popular location for floating the Spring River. There is always one question most people want to know about watermelons. The fun filled event is packed full of live music, great food, old friends, and of course, WATERMELON! Ellis and Ernest Landers had the largest acreage planted in watermelons --- 45 acres. 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. 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 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. Brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers. 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. The remaining one foot section could only be done with manual labor. We have very loyal people. Tohi Nature Trail This easy trail is a popular walking and birdwatching trail located just past the WRMC Medical Complex. The Street family has maintained a controlling interest in the bank since the time of Roe Streets election in 1919. 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. 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. 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. Watermelons and other various produce such as. They were placed nine feet apart then, today, they are only three feet apart. Byrd signed to MCA Nashville Records in 1992, breaking through on the country music scene that year with his 1993 single Holdin Heaven, which reached number one on Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks. Held each year since 1980, Charles and Anita Landers spearheaded the one-of-a-kind event for decades. 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. Meachams Family Restaurant This restaurant has been around for over 40 years. It is something you are going to enjoy. Its the perfect spot to embark on a treasure hunt. 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. Johnson Brothers Watermelons is a family operated business consisting of Gary & Becky & Phillip & Julie. Cave City watermelons are arguably the best watermelons in the world. Johnson Brothers was established in 1976. In 2017, the Cave City Watermelon Festival was inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame by the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Note the stickers on the melons in the photo. Many out-lying families moved into town soon after the creation of the new school to better educate their children. Its part of The Takeouts 2023 Eats Calendar, a rundown of the years best events. The cave was both a great asset to the community and a source of mystery. In those days, there were no festival, growers association, or even a sticker brand to market the melons. Phillip added, We are not just selling a product. Powhatan served as the Lawrence county seat for nearly 95 years. To contact our registered growers, check: http://www.cavecitywatermelonfestival.com/about_us.php Courtesy www.cavecityarkansas.info: "These days, the reason for Cave City's renowned and its place on the map is due primarily to the annual Watermel See more 5,505 people like this 5,757 people follow this You can buy the melons outside of the city, but supply is limited and there are imposters. There is also a thriving art and music scene. The 42nd annual Cave City Watermelon Festival is slated to begin Thursday (July 28) and run through Saturday (July 30). Prior to that, Phillip said, We just trusted in the Lord and the weather. Rainfall or lack thereof is detrimental to the production of watermelons. From July 29-31, hundreds of people will flock to Cave City to attend the festival for the first time in over a year. The Cave City Watermelon Festival Committee has added a new event this year called The Chad Wooldridge Memorial Pitch Tournament. We may earn a commission from links on this page. John S. Gibson began hosting a competition for the largest melons in 1916. Visitors can view their work with paddlefish, sturgeon, Gulf Coast Striped Bass, walleye, and smallmouth bass. You can always check the Cave City Watermelon Festival's website to get information on each of the certified growers. Right now, everything is on track for the festival to start Thursday. Prior to planting, they use a machine to lay down the black plastic and drip tape that will carry water to the plants after they are transplanted. 4:00pm: Free Watermelon Feast - Behind Melon stage. They host weekly rodeos with events for everyone in the family every Friday night. It is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 6, through Saturday, Aug. 8. This changed the way the Johnsons produced their melons for the first time in history. They platted off the town and reportedly gave land to other churches and for the establishment of a school. In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. Growers put a registered trademark stick on the watermelons that reads "Genuine Cave City Watermelon". Artisan Grill The Artisan Grill takes the food you love and gives it a flare that makes it more than special. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused! The goal was to have the young men take over the operation. The first school was taught in Cave City in 1891 and was located at the site of the present Hometown Market. Additionally, there are several big events with live music throughout the year. by Cathy Drew | Jul 9, 2021 | Travel Tips. Celebrating its 43rd year, the 2023 Cave City Watermelon Festival officials are looking to draw thousands into Cave City for the celebration. The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. (Photo from Old Independence Regional Museum, Batesville). 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. Be sure to come pause in Hardy while you travel. 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. (KAIT) -Watermelons are almost ripe for picking for the annual Cave City Watermelon Festival. Authors Note: Some locations may have altered hours, service or be temporarily closed due to Covid. 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. To contact our registered growers,. 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. . 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. 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. CAVE CITY, Ark. The three-day festival will take place on July 28-30. 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. 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. We are excited to welcome everyone back this year.. 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 boys did as any good sons would and began to take on the responsibilities of the farm. Thankfully for the organizers of the wildly popular Windy City Smokeout, fans of barbecue and fans of country music are often one in the same. Johnson Brothers was established in 1976. Over the years, various attempts have been made to explore the cave and to determine the origins of the Crystal River which flows under the town of Cave City. One of the main draws to Hardy is the Spring River and its a must if you enjoy floating. Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs current publicity chair. 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