Its a big deal.. County Music Legion Tracy Byrd, will be headlining this years festival on Saturday Night. Abra Perkey - 870-307-2666 Rustin Wooldridge - 870-283-9914Stand is located at 1424 Hwy. The park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Cave City growers just want you to know, it's important to look for the sticker. Johnson Brothers Watermelons is a family operated business consisting of Gary & Becky & Phillip & Julie. 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. Jul 29, 2022Cave City Watermelons, Hunter Bros Melons Hunter Brothers Watermelons- Jonathan and Justin Hunter Main Street in Cave City. But one common seed is the craving for the fruit of summer the watermelon. We worked our tails off all day, did it in cold ground, poured cold water in it, packed them in. At. Travelers will also find antique stores and flea markets. 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. Perkey Farms-JW & Wendell Perkey | Cave City AR 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. 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 nearest post office, which had been located at Loyal, was physically moved to the new town of Cave City in 1892. In those days, an average grower planted about 30 acres. Over the years, the Johnsons have overcome any obstacle in their path. 7 - The World's Sweetest Watermelons. Mammoth Spring State Park The park is home to an old mill and hydroelectric plant, the old Frisco Train Depot and Museum, a park, walking trails and a gift shop. On an extremely hot day, one Julie described as the seventh circle of hell, the couple were working in the field after cultivating the rows spaced ten feet apart with a tractor. Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. Try the sloppy joe and you wont be disappointed! 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." 2023 Ozark Gateway. 2023 Ozark Gateway. All rights reserved. There were days when the brokers would buy them and we would load five or six trailer loads that would go out to Chicago and lots of other places. Gary explained. There is also a thriving art and music scene. Evening Shade Farmers Market Stock up on some locally grown fruits, veggies and handmade goods at the farmers market held every Saturday morning. 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. Its crazy because theres so many different components to it.. Gary recalled one incident where a broker offered his grandfather a few cents less per pound than he desired. This is unfair to the growers who, like the Johnsons, put hundreds of hours of work into their harvest, not to mention tens of thousands of dollars they have invested in the crops. 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. Cave City Watermelon Festival. That Spring, Lester taught his sons the ins and outs of watermelon production that he learned from his own father. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Since their watermelon are known across the state and even the country, a problem farmers often face are imposters. In 2017, the Cave City Watermelon Festival was inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame by the . 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. Ellis and Ernest Landers had the largest acreage planted in watermelons --- 45 acres. 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. Be sure to come pause in Hardy while you travel. "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. Wilson Country Supply Wilsons is one of the coolest spots to visit when you are in the area. "We thought that we were going to be really late. Kevin Moore Farms, 870-283-2043.Moore's stand is located on the north end of Cave City. For the town that boasts. Cave Citys watermelons arent touted as the sweetest in the world for no reason. That congregation has continued to grow and is currently adding to its present structure to accommodate an ever-expanding membership. D & S Rodeo If you love rodeo and music, you will want to head to the D & S Arena. Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups and Tourism, Auto & Motorcycle Sales, Service, Tires & More, Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups & Tourism. Whether they are from Cave City or not, the . "Sometimes they do and they have for as long as I can remember," he said. For Wooldridge, its not his first rodeo. 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. Phillip explained, I am trying to tell Julie how to do it right, how to do it better. (KAIT) - Even though the Cave City Watermelon Festival was canceled, melon season has been going better than expected. The First Baptist Church was organized in June of 1901. 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. SHARP COUNTY'S WIDEST CIRCULATED AND ONLY LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER. They are located 2 1/2 miles north of Cave City. Were ready for everybody to come to Cave City.. Johnson Brothers Watermelons is a family operated business consisting of Gary & Becky & Phillip & Julie. Every eating event you need to know about, month by month. (Courtesy Joshua Fitzwater) "That was neat,". . This year, it will kick off Thursday, July 25and run through Saturday, July 27 at the Cave City City Park. They carry a little bit of everything from toys to farm supplies, hunting gear and more. The town celebration of the Fourth of July continued for many years, but fell out of favor in the last few decades. The Street family has maintained a controlling interest in the bank since the time of Roe Streets election in 1919. More than 9 million gallons of water flow from it each hour filling a 10-acre lake and flowing into the Spring River. We appreciate the volunteer work already underway around town to prepare for the festival, Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson said. Garrett Duncan walking a growers' Cave City Watermelon . 2 personas estn hablando de esto. There is no doubt the area has realized the huge growth of the Cave City Watermelon Festival in the last few years. 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. The Watermelon Parade is at 10 a.m.Live music begins at noon and features Deadwood Grove, followed by The Gravel Yard Bluegrass Band. C. S. Lawthorp began promoting the oversized melons to shippers and the local farmers quickly took note. . 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. Brothers Jonathan and Justin Hunter are the newest and youngest registered Cave City Watermelon Growers. It is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 6, through Saturday, Aug. 8. The first step of this epic watermelon road trip is to select a registered grower and make certain that they have melons available. Most actually want to know how to select the best and sweetest melon. Charles Osborne Farms (870) 799-3459 PO Box 148 Cord, AR 72524 4. Please try viewing this website in Edge, Mozilla, Chrome, or another modern browser. 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. 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. Cave City seems in the middle of nowhere. In the early 1890s, what was apparently the second church established in town was the Methodist Episcopal (or North Methodist) Church. The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. 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. Growers put a registered trademark stick on the watermelons that reads "Genuine Cave City Watermelon". Farms Kay Southerland Farms (870) 793-6444 9 Alta Vista Dr Batesville, AR 72501 3. All rights reserved. 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. Currently the Johnsons plant 15 acres each year with 1300 watermelon plants per acre. 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. . Music starts at 6 p.m. with Erin Walters, followed y MaryBeth Byrd and Danielle Peck. We have confidence in our picking. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. file size: 5 MB. The cave was both a great asset to the community and a source of mystery. Source: http://www.kait8.com/story/38582549/cave-city-watermelon-growers-warn-against-knockoffs Share Photo courtesy of Arkansas Parks and Tourism. 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. So bring your family and lawn chairs and celebrate the labor and goodness of one of the greatest contributors to the Sharp County economy. Tracy Byrd Here is the complete schedule, Check Cave City Watermelon Festival website for updates before travel Thursday - July 29 5:00 PM The owner of Cave City Produce Company is not doing anything illegal. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have the registered trademark sticker. 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. The Fourth of July Picnic at Cave City was another major attraction, bringing folks from all over the surrounding country. They were sold to brokers, simply by word of mouth, and transported across the nation. This line of the Laman family had settled on Curia Creek, about a mile south of present-day Cave City. "Business is very . Historic Downtown Hardy Loaded with unique shops and restaurants, downtown Hardy is a postcard community nestled along the Spring River. The Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. One of the main draws to Hardy is the Spring River and its a must if you enjoy floating. Your email address will not be published. To return to the calendar and check out other months, click here. And if you are coming from anywhere in Arkansas, it can be a bit of a haul. 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. We thought we were going to be about three weeks late.". 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. As a kid, I raised watermelons with my grandpa, Billy Carter. Meachams Family Restaurant This restaurant has been around for over 40 years. Gary and Phillips father, Lester, along with seven or eight of his siblings, learned early on how to properly produce a desirable melon. Were proud of what we do and we try to put the best that we can out there, Woolridge said. Back to . 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. The true melon afficianados will go for the Cave City melons every time and leave the Hope melons to the tourists. Perkey Farms is a family owned and operating watermelon farm. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow. 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. "I think there were three people on the chamber of commerce that got [the festival] going," said. As soon as the summer sun beams down on the South, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off. These green rinded beauties are an iconic piece of many summer family get togethers. Watermelons Schedule your trip for mid-July through August and grab a watermelon or two from one of the registered growers. Below is a list of the fun, unique food festivals and eating opportunities taking place in July 2023. CAVE CITY, Ark. That is when we really went to studying how to do things a different way, Gary said. "They thrive really well in hot weather so the hot May was really good for growth," Johnson said. The proverbial watermelon vine was planted when the mens grandfather, Washington Worsh Johnson, first grew melons and cotton on 135 acres at Cave City. The 41st Cave City Watermelon Festival is set for July 29-31th. 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 prize melon auction is at 5 p.m. and benefits Arkansas Children's Hospital. Watermelon Festival - The 2022 Cave City Watermelon Festival is sure to delight. 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. 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 Cave City Watermelon Festival Committee has added a new event this year called The Chad Wooldridge Memorial Pitch Tournament. Julie loves adventure. The Johnson watermelon vine continued to spread, and Phillips parents, Lester and Verba Lee, eventually inherited the seed. 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. (KAIT) - The town of Cave City and festival goers from all over the country are kicking off the 40th annual Watermelon Festival this week. That is what is so amazing, the last few years, people come to us and we dont take that for granted.. Growers Cave City Watermelon Festival . Saturday, Jul 30, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. Cave City Park. Its the perfect country supply store. Cave City watermelons are arguably the best watermelons in the world. The melon stand is on Main Street next to Dollar General. You can always check the Cave City Watermelon Festival's website to get information on each of the certified growers. It [doesnt] just start, you know in the spring, but it goes all year, Rustin Wooldridge, a fourth-generation grower, said. KAIT Region 8 News:It doesnt quite feel like summertime in Sharp County until the Cave City watermelons hit the stands and that happened this past week. Phillip Johnson of Johnson Brothers Farms said the below-freezing temperatures in April made them nervous. They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. You can buy the melons outside of the city, but supply is limited and there are imposters. So many interesting treasures are held within these walls. Its worse than Black Friday at Walmart, Julie laughed. Tim Carter: I am a 4th generation watermelon farmer I cannot remember not being around watermelon farming. (800) 458-4756 Read more. All rights reserved. 167 North of Cave City. Haley Adams enjoys a big slice of watermelon at the 2007 Cave City Watermelon Festival. In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. In its earlier years, Cave Citys means of entertainment appeared to revolve around camp and/or brush arbor meetings and revivals at local (and often not-so local) churches. She leaned back on her hoe and looked back at me. Copyright 2018KAIT. She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. The goal was to have the young men take over the operation. "Pull up a chair, sit and visit for a while, and have a good time," he suggested. Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. Woodies Main Street Cafe This classic American restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday. The area now known as Cave City was originally situated entirely in Independence County, most of which was in Barren Township. You can even take a short side trip to check out their furniture and appliance store in Glencoe. They talked about their deep history of farming melons, the challenges, triumphs and even some humorous tales. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Located 15 miles north of Batesville, Cave City has several retail shops in its historic downtown area. 2022 Cave City watermelons, Hunter Bros melons Hunter Brothers Watermelons- Jonathan Justin! Ellis and Ernest Landers had the largest acreage planted in watermelons -- - 45 acres office, which been... 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