"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. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Maybe you can show them how to tie a cherry stem with ones tongue? Historic Places There are seven properties on the National Register of Historic Places located in Evening Shade. We did everything wrong we possibly could, Gary said. In 1919, J. M. (Roe) Street became president and served in that capacity until his death in 1942. Saturday kicks off with the Melon Dash 5K at 7 a.m. at the city park and a Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at First Baptist Church. That is when we really went to studying how to do things a different way, Gary said. The SRC recently spent an evening with Gary and Phillip Johnson and their wives, Becky and Julie, who have been with them every step of the way. The event starts Thursday, July 29 with live music. People dont have to have watermelons to live. We were all so excited. The first post master at Cave City was Thomas J. Wooldridge, whose term began December 16, 1892. CAVE CITY, Ark. 5:00pm: Main stage Prize Melon Auction benefitting Arkansas Children's Hospital Located 15 miles north of Batesville, Cave City has several retail shops in its historic downtown area. They orderedplants from a greenhouse. All rights reserved. For Food Vendor Inquiries call Andrea @ 870-283-5301 . 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. Most activities are at the Cave . 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. The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. Woodies Main Street Cafe This classic American restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday. Watermelons - Schedule your trip for mid-July through August and grab a watermelon or two from one of the registered growers. Its worse than Black Friday at Walmart, Julie laughed. Phillip - 870-307-9632 Gary - 870-283-2854 We try really hard to produce a great product. Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs current publicity chair. 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. This is a skillset that has been continually improved upon by the Johnsons since the 1920s. The division manages 14 Arkansas Welcome Centers and employs more than 60 staff members across The Natural State. Click here to learn how owner Marc Herring overcame adversity during the pandemic, then stop by and shop the craft mall. In earlier years, before the creation of the town, the cave had belonged to the Horn family, and was known as Horns Cave. 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. 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. by Cathy Drew | Jul 18, 2022 | Travel Tips, Cave City, Home of the Worlds Sweetest Watermelons. They are going to take it home to family, to the river, the lake. CAVE CITY, Ark. 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. A melon growers' association was formed at Cave City in 1938. 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. The Festival will happen at the Cave City Park. Cave City watermelons are arguably the best watermelons in the world. When they are picking, the selection goes fast, so we get there early. Then, in 1875, the current county line was established, moving the Independence County line to its present location and creating Cave Township. It is about an event, about happiness. 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. Julie loves adventure. 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. When a watermelon is cut off the vine, it is as good as it ever will be, it wont keep ripening, Gary explained. All rights reserved. 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. I decided to carry on the tradition and raised my first solo melon crop the next spring. Every one of them died. But as with any type of farming, errors are what leads to improvement. Watermelons can be bought from these certified growers: Patterson Bros Watermelons Brian Carter's Cave City Watermelons Tim Carter Melon Farms Johnson Brothers Watermelons Miller. Panhandlewatermelon.com - , Xranks. Our trip starts in Cave City so whether you choose the route to Black Rock or the route to Mammoth Spring, there are a few places you need to check out before you leave town. 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. To return to the calendar and check out other months, click here. It had been known for years that local Indians had used the cave for dwellings. John S. Gibson began hosting a competition for the largest melons in 1916. Our watermelon growers work hard all year long to produce "The World's Sweetest" watermelons! 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. The continual hot weather has now put them about one week ahead of schedule in opening the stands. 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 were placed nine feet apart then, today, they are only three feet apart. Many other milestones occurred in the early years of the history of Cave City. But one common seed is the craving for the fruit of summer the watermelon. Gary, laughed and said he told his brother to get her some water. The Cave City Watermelon Festival slated for July 29 through 31 is quickly approaching. That Spring, Lester taught his sons the ins and outs of watermelon production that he learned from his own father. (KAIT) - Even though the Cave City Watermelon Festival was canceled, melon season has been going better than expected. 2023 Ozark Gateway. 167. Phillip spoke of his grandfathers stubborn nature, a trait that at least, in part, led to the success and longevity of his business being carried through to his son and grandsons. The seeds are started in the greenhouse in March. CAVE CITY, Ark. The prize melon auction is at 5 p.m. and benefits Arkansas Children's Hospital. Live music begins at 5:45 p.m. with Anna Brinker, followed by Dixon Street and Tracy Byrd. 4:00pm: Free Watermelon Feast - Behind Melon stage. Gary recalled one incident where a broker offered his grandfather a few cents less per pound than he desired. Thankfully, that changed once we finally shook winter and headed into May. Wooldridge says even though COVID canceled the festival last year, it didnt cancel watermelon season, working from sunrise until sundown picking and selling watermelons. file size: 5 MB. There is no doubt the area has realized the huge growth of the Cave City Watermelon Festival in the last few years. 20/07/2019 . . It appears that you're using a severely outdated version of Safari on Windows. 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. In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. Powhatan Historic State Park Powhatan State Park celebrates the once-thriving community of Powhatan from its heyday as a port on the Black River. 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. In those days, an average grower planted about 30 acres. 7 - The World's Sweetest Watermelons. They bring with them lots of experience. The Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. The festival is Aug. 6-8, and Crystal said it is the biggest event in Sharp County. Check out the photo gallery and tell us that doesnt look like a great time. 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. They are located 2 1/2 miles north of Cave City. The merchandise changes regularly, but if you check in often, you can find your favorite products at deep discounts. Wilson Country Supply Wilsons is one of the coolest spots to visit when you are in the area. 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. Heritage Bake Shoppe If you are looking for flavorful baked goods and deli sandwiches piled high with meat, cheese and all the toppings, swing by the Heritage Bake Shoppe. Copyright 2021 KAIT. Perhaps it runs deepest in the Carter family with roots that go back four to five generations for two growers. Photo courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The best way to see the river is through one of the local outfitters such as 3 Rivers Outfitters or Spring River Camp and Canoe. While Johnson says weather pushed back the start of the season, she said that hasnt stopped people from selling out the stands. Ellis and Ernest Landers had the largest acreage planted in watermelons --- 45 acres. 5 . (Photo from Old Independence Regional Museum, Batesville). The Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. You can also learn more about her writing on her site Seek Adventures Media. No matter which path you choose from Cave City, have fun yall and do the watermelon crawl. (KAIT) - The Cave City Watermelon Festival is getting closer. The 42nd annual Cave City Watermelon Festival is slated to begin Thursday (July 28) and run through Saturday (July 30). The Watermelon Growers Games will commence at 3 p.m. with a watermelon . So many interesting treasures are held within these walls. Stop in for lunch or dinner and you will know why. Apparently the Laman brothers bought large tracts of land in the Cave City area, built their business and encouraged other merchants to relocate at that place. 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 prize melon will be auctioned off to benefit St. Judes. As soon as the summer sun beams down on the South, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off. They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. The nearest post office, which had been located at Loyal, was physically moved to the new town of Cave City in 1892. This three-day event will be held July 28-30th and will include entertainment, fun vendors, yummy food trucks, a parade, activities for kids and adults, and of course, a free melon feast, which is courtesy of the watermelon growers in the area. The Watermelon Parade is at 10 a.m.Live music begins at noon and features Deadwood Grove, followed by The Gravel Yard Bluegrass Band. Phillip - 870-307-9632Gary - 870-283-2854. The three-day festival will take place on July 28-30. 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. As a kid, I raised watermelons with my grandpa, Billy Carter. 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. After a while when I got done, she grabbed a hold of that hoe and threw it across the field and said, I quit. Many of these families moved to that area from Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, etc., and settled along the creeks and waterways in the more temperate climates away from the mosquitoes and malaria of Eastern Arkansas. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000. 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. Copyright 2018KAIT. One of the main draws to Hardy is the Spring River and its a must if you enjoy floating. "Sometimes they do and they have for as long as I can remember," he said. The Cave City Watermelon Festival Committee has added a new event this year called The Chad Wooldridge Memorial Pitch Tournament. To contact our registered growers,. 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. Over at Perkey & Woolridge, theyre experiencing the same busyness. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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! Growers Cave City Watermelon Festival . 1930's. The preparation is always crazy, especially this time of year, just on a good year, Johnson said. 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. Growing watermelons has run in the family for several decades. Created with Sketch. The proverbial watermelon vine was planted when the mens grandfather, Washington Worsh Johnson, first grew melons and cotton on 135 acres at Cave City. Haley Adams enjoys a big slice of watermelon at the 2007 Cave City Watermelon Festival. Music starts at 6 p.m. with Erin Walters, followed y MaryBeth Byrd and Danielle Peck. http://www.kait8.com/story/38582549/cave-city-watermelon-growers-warn-against-knockoffs. These days, the reason for Cave Citys renowned and its place on the map is due primarily to the annual Watermelon Festival! "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 . They were beautiful hot plants. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Only in Arkansas. Johnson Brothers' Watermelon Patch, 2018 (Photo by Chad Graves). "We thought that we were going to be really late. The machine is equipped with a spike in the center that makes a hole in the plastic. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. Brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers. Read more about how Powhatan is Frozen in Time. 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! Roadside stands are found throughout the city. I could try to tell you how cool it is but you just have to see it for yourself! Many features won't work correctly, and functionality can't be guaranteed. Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups and Tourism, Auto & Motorcycle Sales, Service, Tires & More, Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups & Tourism. We have confidence in our picking. All rights reserved. The goal was to have the young men take over the operation. So bring your family and lawn chairs and celebrate the labor and goodness of one of the greatest contributors to the Sharp County economy. Sadly, this year will be the first time the city will have to cancel the event due to health and safety concerns pertaining to COVID-19. In those days, there were no festival, growers association, or even a sticker brand to market the melons. Historic Downtown Hardy Loaded with unique shops and restaurants, downtown Hardy is a postcard community nestled along the Spring River. Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). 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. From planting in the greenhouse to harvest usually takes about 90 days, depending on rainfall amounts and the variety of melon. 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. For more information, visitwww.arkansas.com. Woods Riverbend Restaurant If you love waterfront dining you are in for a treat at Woods. Be sure to fill out all the fields in order to have yours selected. We thought we were going to be about three weeks late.". By 1955, the Melon Growers Association met and elected a Board of Directors, consisting of Hassel Ford (President), Silas James, Coy Crow, Verl Ball, and Ernest Landers (who, by the way, was Charles Landers father). If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Right now, everything is on track for the festival to start Thursday. 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. Tohi Nature Trail This easy trail is a popular walking and birdwatching trail located just past the WRMC Medical Complex. Tracy Byrd Here is the complete schedule, Check Cave City Watermelon Festival website for updates before travel Thursday - July 29 5:00 PM 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. Watermelon Festival - The 2022 Cave City Watermelon Festival is sure to delight. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. Blueberry Fields Forever Judsonia, AR, 72081. The Cave City Watermelon Festival Committee has added a new event this year called the Chad Wooldridge Memorial Pitch.. Became associated with the melon Dash 5K at 7 a.m. at the supplied! Phillip - 870-307-9632 Gary - 870-283-2854 we try really hard to produce `` the World & # x27 s. Mid-July through August and grab a Watermelon the Carter family with roots that go back four five... Merchandise changes regularly, but if you love waterfront dining you are happy with it in watermelons -. Are picking, the lake is one of the spots are also yellow brown..., it hasnt always been easy of melon tell you how cool is. 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