watermelon-growers games at 3 p.m., a . 71 were here. The annual watermelon festival, which draws thousands to the town each year, is scheduled for July 26-28. No one picks the watermelons but Gary and Phillip. We got 2000 plants from a hot greenhouse. 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. Wooldridge says even though COVID canceled the festival last year, it didnt cancel watermelon season, working from sunrise until sundown picking and selling watermelons. To contact our registered growers, check:. Watermelon Festival The 2022 Cave City Watermelon Festival is sure to delight. Powhatan Historic State Park Powhatan State Park celebrates the once-thriving community of Powhatan from its heyday as a port on the Black River. Flickr/kitchener.lord. Watermelon Growers Games - In front of Melon stage. Your email address will not be published. The three-day festival will take place on July 28-30. 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. 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. how to tie a cherry stem with ones tongue. Brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers. "I think there were three people on the chamber of commerce that got [the festival] going," said. It is in honor of a grower who died unexpectedly last June. While watermelons are still at the center of our celebration, we also celebrate the people and businesses that make the Cave City area one of the greatest places in Arkansas! The icy water makes for excellent trout fishing and a beautiful floating opportunity. Every year, they have to deal with imitation melons. Stop in for lunch or dinner and you will know why. Over at Perkey & Woolridge, theyre experiencing the same busyness. This will mark the festival's 30th year. Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). Johnson Brothers Watermelons is a family operated business consisting of Gary & Becky & Phillip & Julie. Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs current publicity chair. (KAIT) - The town of Cave City and festival goers from all over the country are kicking off the 40th annual Watermelon Festival this week. Cave City seems in the middle of nowhere. 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. 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. Phillip explained, I am trying to tell Julie how to do it right, how to do it better. | Privacy Policy This site is paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds. Were ready for everybody to come to Cave City.. Try the sloppy joe and you wont be disappointed! You want the stem to be green with a white spot on the belly. Gary added, Some of the spots are also yellow to brown depending on the variety of melon., It hasnt always been easy. As the festival inches closer, melons are flying off of stands just as quickly as growers are putting them there. The town of Cave City was incorporated in April 1907 with a Mayor-Council form of government. 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. The true melon afficianados will go for the Cave City melons every time and leave the Hope melons to the tourists. 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. These days, the reason for Cave Citys renowned and its place on the map is due primarily to the annual Watermelon Festival! Most activities are at the Cave . Search results are sorted by a combination of factors to give you a set of choices in response to your search criteria. Phillip Johnson of Johnson Brothers Farms said the below-freezing temperatures in April made them nervous. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000. Our watermelon growers work hard all year long to produce "The World's Sweetest" watermelons! Crystal Bridges 2023 Exhibitions Unveiled, Visiting Poinsett, Cross and Mississippi Counties, Things To Do In Independence and Stone Counties, An Afternoon in Cave City - Only In Arkansas, An Afternoon in Cave City Only In Arkansas Only in Arkansas Ferry St. On August 12th, 1925, Hugh and Edgar Laseter established a new standard for giant melons with their 136-lb winning watermelon. To return to the calendar and check out other months, click here. Mammoth Spring is one of the worlds largest natural springs. Today it still stands as the oldest motor court of its kind in the state, and likely the entire region. But this is an issue they deal with and overcome by having loyal customers and some of the sweetest melons in the state. 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. Since 1980, they've. Created with Sketch. They offer indoor and outdoor dining and a menu that includes a little bit of everything. Haley Adams enjoys a big slice of watermelon at the 2007 Cave City Watermelon Festival. Each year as soon as they arrive with the first loads, their parking lot is flooded with customers before the melons can even be weighed and stickered. Accepted file types: jpg, png, Max. The cave was both a great asset to the community and a source of mystery. All Rights Reserved. It wasnt always successful, but with each step, they learned and improved or changed their growing methods. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have the registered trademark sticker. This is not a rinky-dink operation: More than 500,000 attendees are expected at this years event, enjoying activities such as a cherry pancake breakfast, the crowning of the Cherry Queen, and delicious barbecue and beer. Weve gathered a list of some great stops along the way, so now its time for you to choose your own adventure. Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups and Tourism, Auto & Motorcycle Sales, Service, Tires & More, Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups & Tourism. We dug holes, put water to make a sluice in the ground and then put the plant in. Updated: Aug. 13, 2020 at 3:19 PM PDT. 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. Growers put a registered trademark stick on the watermelons that reads "Genuine Cave City Watermelon". 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. The Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. 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. Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). Real, authentic Cave City melons come from registered growers and have an official sticker on them. As soon as the summer sun beams down on the South, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off. The boys did as any good sons would and began to take on the responsibilities of the farm. Tim Carter: I am a 4th generation watermelon farmer I cannot remember not being around watermelon farming. Renees Cafe This down-home country restaurant is where you will find the locals hanging out. 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. They are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday Saturday and are located just outside Cave City on AR-230. 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. Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. 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. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000. 2021 Cave City Watermelon Festival Set for July 29-31th April 29, 2021by KFFB 106.1 FM Cave City Watermelon Festival is gearing up for another great Festival. About Arkansas Tourism Held each year since 1980, Charles and Anita Landers spearheaded the one-of-a-kind event for decades. Blueberry Fields Forever Judsonia, AR, 72081. Welcome home! 4:00pm: Free Watermelon Feast - Behind Melon stage. Growers Cave City Watermelon Festival . Today, people from around the world come to this small place each summer to help us do just that! . All rights reserved. Be sure to come pause in Hardy while you travel. Visitors can also see remnants of the famous swinging bridge which spanned the Black River until it was dismantled in 1957. As a result, they became more innovative in their production process. The Cave City Watermelon Festival is, in many ways, the perfect summer celebration. CAVE CITY, Ark. 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. There is always one question most people want to know about watermelons. Since their watermelon are known across the state and even the country, a problem farmers often face are imposters. The first mayor was J. T. Harrell, with W. A. Meacham as recorder. YP - The Real Yellow PagesSM - helps you find the right local businesses to meet your specific needs. 7 - The World's Sweetest Watermelons. But, in reality, it was a pivotal moment when, for the sake of their marriage, they were forced to realize they had to find a better way to cultivate near the plants. The town is home to a growing school district that includes the Cave City Charter High School. To contact our registered growers,. This line of the Laman family had settled on Curia Creek, about a mile south of present-day Cave City. 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. Charles Osborne Farms (870) 799-3459 PO Box 148 Cord, AR 72524 4. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late 60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit. 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. All rights reserved. Brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers. 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. CAVE CITY, Ark. Three Chicks Flea Market This vintage market contains a great collection of merchandise just waiting to be discovered by the next treasure hunter. It had been known for years that local Indians had used the cave for dwellings. 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. If it doesnt have the sticker, its not an official Cave City watermelon. We love to get the people in here, love to see where everybody comes from for the festival and the watermelons, he said. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have our registered trademark sticker. 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. 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. The melon stand is on Main Street next to Dollar General. 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. 13, 2020 at 3:19 PM PDT haley Adams enjoys a big slice watermelon... Form of government brothers, Gary and Phillip regional association funds did as any good sons would and to... As growers are putting them there brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers drew became with! School district that includes the Cave City watermelons have the registered trademark sticker Box... 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