20/07/2019 . That Spring, Lester taught his sons the ins and outs of watermelon production that he learned from his own father. 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. You can always check the Cave City Watermelon Festival's website to get information on each of the certified growers. 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. Cave City growers just want you to know, it's important to look for the sticker. 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. "Watermelons should be about fun. 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 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. 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. . 2023 Ozark Gateway. This included transplanting. The plants will have established a root ball in about five or six weeks, and are solid enough to be transplanted. 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. Perkey Farms is a family owned and operating watermelon farm. The merchandise changes regularly, but if you check in often, you can find your favorite products at deep discounts. The cave was both a great asset to the community and a source of mystery. Gary recalled one incident where a broker offered his grandfather a few cents less per pound than he desired. We dug holes, put water to make a sluice in the ground and then put the plant in. Three Chicks Flea Market This vintage market contains a great collection of merchandise just waiting to be discovered by the next treasure hunter. Garrett Duncan walking a growers' Cave City Watermelon . 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. Whether they are from Cave City or not, the . From July 29-31, hundreds of people will flock to Cave City to attend the festival for the first time in over a year. 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. Real, authentic Cave City melons come from registered growers and have an official sticker on them. The machine is equipped with a spike in the center that makes a hole in the plastic. 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. Growers put a registered trademark stick on the watermelons that reads "Genuine Cave City Watermelon". The prize melon auction is at 5 p.m. and benefits Arkansas Children's Hospital. Older Post Cave City watermelon growers warn against knockoffs. Watermelon growing is not a new thing in Cave City, however. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have our registered trademark sticker. Its the perfect country supply store. Patterson Brothers Farms 501-412-3819.Patterson's stand is located in Cave City, across from Double B's. Brian, Kimberly & Bricen Carter, 870-283-2147.Carter's stand is located on Highway 167, next to Buttercup's Restaurant. To contact our registered growers, check:. 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. Most actually want to know how to select the best and sweetest melon. Jonesboro! They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. Blueberry Fields Forever Judsonia, AR, 72081. All rights reserved. Watermelon Festival The 2022 Cave City Watermelon Festival is sure to delight. They both built homes (on the site of the current location of the Bank of Cave City and on the old bank property just to the north) and moved in by 1890. Julie loves adventure. We love to get the people in here, love to see where everybody comes from for the festival and the watermelons, he said. 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. 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. New foods, new places, new experiences. This three-day event will include entertainment, a 5K run, pancake breakfast, parade, activities for kids and adults, and of course, a free melon feast, courtesy of the registered watermelon growers. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. The town of Cave City was incorporated in April 1907 with a Mayor-Council form of government. Cave City has held the tradition of celebrating the "world's sweetest watermelons" by holding a watermelon festival every summer since 1980. BREAKING: Student arrested for crime involving explosives, Cave City watermelon growers warn against knockoffs, Trip to Mr. Ts pays off for lucky lottery winner, Jonesboro police investigating 2 reported shootings. Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). Drifters Coffee Co. Grab an incredible pastry and a cup of joe from this mobile/drive-thru coffee shop with a vintage feel. The first post master at Cave City was Thomas J. Wooldridge, whose term began December 16, 1892. The prize melon auction is at 5 p.m. and benefits Arkansas Children's Hospital. Marks Fly Shop Anglers that enjoy fly fishing will want to check out Marks fly shop for all the latest gear and custom tied flies. The Fourth of July Picnic at Cave City was another major attraction, bringing folks from all over the surrounding country. YP advertisers receive higher placement in the default ordering of search results and may appear in sponsored listings on the top, side, or bottom of the search results page. Copyright 2021 KAIT. The Johnson Brothers utilize a waterwheel transplanter for this part of the production. Brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers. Another point of interest was the cave which was located in the center of town, and from which the town received its name. D & S Rodeo If you love rodeo and music, you will want to head to the D & S Arena. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. 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. Travel east/northeast out of Cave City along AR-230 and AR-25. Additionally, there are several big events with live music throughout the year. So bring your family and lawn chairs and celebrate the labor and goodness of one of the greatest contributors to the Sharp County economy. The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. 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. All rights reserved. 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. http://www.kait8.com/story/38582549/cave-city-watermelon-growers-warn-against-knockoffs. 167 North of Cave City. "Sometimes they do and they have for as long as I can remember," he said. Although Im perfectly content to drive two hours just to buy a $15 watermelon, you may need some convincing. Photo courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Mr. Carpenter retrieved many of the Indian relics from the cave and built a museum of sorts which housed these relics on the walkway into the entrance of the cave. 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. Johnson Brothers Watermelons | Cave City AR She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Annual student art exhibition is Feb. 27-March 17 at Lyon College Kresge Gallery, reception is March 2, Works of Lyon College Professor of Art Dustyn Bork featured in two Batesville exhibitions, Jacksonport State Park to host dinner, mock trial based on historic events Trial based on actual 1885 events and trial, Bubble, Bubble, Toil & Trouble: A Soapmaking Workshop Saturday, February 25, 2023, 9:00am . Dear Crossing If there is a Hot Wheels or Matchbox lover in your crew this shop is a must-see! 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. 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. 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.Activities include a children's fishing derby, 5K run, car show, pancake breakfast, parade, school alumni reunion, speed eating contest, seed . The profits from the crop later paid Phillips way through college. Every eating event you need to know about, month by month. Tohi Nature Trail This easy trail is a popular walking and birdwatching trail located just past the WRMC Medical Complex. 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. Another interesting mention of the picnic in 1902 related that The rents for swings and lemonade stands will be used toward buying a wind mill to draw the water from the cave. [An article from theRecorddated July of 1928 states that the town had been celebrating the Fourth of July each summer for 35 years, which would have put the tradition starting as far back as 1893.] And if you are coming from anywhere in Arkansas, it can be a bit of a haul. The prize melon will be auctioned off to benefit St. Judes. There should be enough melons for the 36th annual Cave City Watermelon Festival. . 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. But one common seed is the craving for the fruit of summer the watermelon. Usually the Cave City Watermelon Festival is held the week after the Hope Watermelon Festival, but this year they were held concurrently. The Cave City Watermelon Festival, on which Julie serves with a committee since 2015, will be held at the Cave City Park July 28-30. J.W. (KAIT) - Even though the Cave City Watermelon Festival was canceled, melon season has been going better than expected. Cave City melons have "Genuine" stickers, too. 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. by Themeansar, Johnson Brothers For the love of watermelons, Sharp County public service entities receive nearly $1.36 million from American Rescue Plan, NO!! 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. Travelers will also find antique stores and flea markets. 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. The first mayor was J. T. Harrell, with W. A. Meacham as recorder. 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. "I think there were three people on the chamber of commerce that got [the festival] going," said. Gather around for events such as the biggest happy hour of the summer and enjoy an all-you-can-eat barbecue brunch on Sunday. Post Cave City was incorporated in April 1907 with a vintage feel attraction, bringing folks from all the. Be auctioned off to benefit St. Judes have for as long as I remember. Ins and outs of watermelon production that he learned cave city watermelon growers his own father on Sunday 1907 a. 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