(800) 458-4756 Read more. It will include games, auctions, seed spitting contests, free watermelon feasts, a family wet zone park, and live entertainment, including headliner Tracy Byrd. Patterson Brothers Farms 501-412-3819.Patterson's stand is located in Cave City, across from Double B's. The Cave City Watermelon Festival will take place July 26-28 at the Cave City city park. Spring River The Spring River is a favorite spot to fish, swim and float. This line of the Laman family had settled on Curia Creek, about a mile south of present-day Cave City. County Music Legion Tracy Byrd, will be headlining this years festival on Saturday Night. 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.] "We thought that we were going to be really late. It is located two and a half miles North of Cave City on Hwy. Try the sloppy joe and you wont be disappointed! After returning to Cave City from World War II, Lester became a watermelon farmer in 1945. You cant go wrong with anything on the menu, but the onion rings alone are worth the drive. 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. Its the perfect spot to embark on a treasure hunt. Family LP Farms (870) 368-7495 She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. When they are picking, the selection goes fast, so we get there early. We know some will argue that Hope watermelons are better. The First Baptist Church was organized in June of 1901. For a hillbilly like us to see all those hundreds of acres of beautiful watermelons all exactly the same size because they had all been transplanted on plastic was just amazing to us. That leaves us with a whole day to explore, and the roads out of Cave City lead to interesting locations. Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups and Tourism, Auto & Motorcycle Sales, Service, Tires & More, Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups & Tourism. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000. 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. Charles Osborne Farms (870) 799-3459 PO Box 148 Cord, AR 72524 4. Now, in its 43rd year, the watermelon festival is the largest festival in the region and has been voted as one of Arkansas' best festivals. CAVE CITY, Ark. This will mark the festival's 30th year. 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. We appreciate the volunteer work already underway around town to prepare for the festival, Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson said. The first school was taught in Cave City in 1891 and was located at the site of the present Hometown Market. You can buy the melons outside of the city, but supply is limited and there are imposters. . 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. Drifters Coffee Co. Grab an incredible pastry and a cup of joe from this mobile/drive-thru coffee shop with a vintage feel. Weve gathered a list of some great stops along the way, so now its time for you to choose your own adventure. Click here to return to The Takeouts 2023 Eats Calendar. Record collectors dont miss a chance to browse their vintage selections! Watermelons - Schedule your trip for mid-July through August and grab a watermelon or two from one of the registered growers. It had been known for years that local Indians had used the cave for dwellings. No one will ever argue that watermelon blood doesn't run deeply in Cave City. CAVE CITY, Ark. This involves discing, cultivating, fertilizing and planting that typically begins in April. In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. 167. But one common seed is the craving for the fruit of summer the watermelon. Held in the Cherry Capital of the WorldTraverse City, Michigan, that isthe National Cherry Festival runs for the entire week of July 1-8, a testament to just how celebrated this stone fruit is among locals and tourists alike (We are thrilled to put cherries on the top of everyones mind, reads the official website). Older Post Cave City watermelon growers warn against knockoffs. Celebrating its 43rd year, the 2023 Cave City Watermelon Festival officials are looking to draw thousands into Cave City for the celebration. Dear Crossing If there is a Hot Wheels or Matchbox lover in your crew this shop is a must-see! Ellis and Ernest Landers had the largest acreage planted in watermelons --- 45 acres. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. Johnson Brothers was established in 1976. People dont have to have watermelons to live. The prize melon will be auctioned off to benefit St. Judes. Johnson said people passing off other watermelons as those from Cave City is not a new problem. Check out the photo gallery and tell us that doesnt look like a great time. 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. Watermelons Schedule your trip for mid-July through August and grab a watermelon or two from one of the registered growers. 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. 4:00pm: Free Watermelon Feast - Behind Melon stage. Watermelon Festival The 2022 Cave City Watermelon Festival is sure to delight. 5 . She leaned back on her hoe and looked back at me. 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. It also led the brothers to not be as scared to try new things. The festival is the largest in the region. Up until that point they had only planted seeds directly in the field. Tim Carter: I am a 4th generation watermelon farmer I cannot remember not being around watermelon farming. 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 laughed at his tenacity, admitting sometimes stubborn streaks arent all good. Through the years, they have learned which planting techniques provide the best yield. To contact our registered growers, check:. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000. For Food Vendor Inquiries call Andrea @ 870-283-5301 . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. And Cave City, Arkansas, has rightfully earned recognition for being the home of the worlds sweetest watermelons. In 1919, J. M. (Roe) Street became president and served in that capacity until his death in 1942. Although Im perfectly content to drive two hours just to buy a $15 watermelon, you may need some convincing. 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. 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. Tohi Nature Trail This easy trail is a popular walking and birdwatching trail located just past the WRMC Medical Complex. One of the main draws to Hardy is the Spring River and its a must if you enjoy floating. 2 talking about this. 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. Renees Cafe This down-home country restaurant is where you will find the locals hanging out. They host weekly rodeos with events for everyone in the family every Friday night. I could try to tell you how cool it is but you just have to see it for yourself! 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. It wasnt always successful, but with each step, they learned and improved or changed their growing methods. They are located 2 1/2 miles north of Cave City. This year County Music Legend Tracy Byrd will be headlining the Free festival on Saturday Night. Live music begins at 5:45 p.m. with Anna Brinker, followed by Dixon Street and Tracy Byrd. It is about an event, about happiness. Gary recalled one incident where a broker offered his grandfather a few cents less per pound than he desired. The true melon afficianados will go for the Cave City melons every time and leave the Hope melons to the tourists. Phillip Johnson of Johnson Brothers Farms said the below-freezing temperatures in April made them nervous. Gather around for events such as the biggest happy hour of the summer and enjoy an all-you-can-eat barbecue brunch on Sunday. Usually the famous watermelons are ready to go by July 4th but this year the crop is a . Since 1980, they've. At 5 p.m., the Prize Melon Auction to benefit Arkansas Children's Hospital will kick off . 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. YP, the YP logo and all other YP marks contained herein are trademarks of YP LLC and/or YP affiliated companies. That is when we really went to studying how to do things a different way, Gary said. 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. Organizers and growers say theyve worked harder to prepare for this years festival. Most actually want to know how to select the best and sweetest melon. Also, be sure to grab a piece of carrot cake if its on the menu. The melon farm is on Cold Creek Road. Cave City watermelons are arguably the best watermelons in the world. 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. 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. They bring with them lots of experience. 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. Head due north out of Cave City for a beautiful trip that will take you through Evening Shade, Ash Flat, Hardy and Mammoth Spring. The festival is Aug. 6-8, and Crystal said it is the biggest event in Sharp County. Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs current publicity chair. We love to get the people in here, love to see where everybody comes from for the festival and the watermelons, he said. Meachams Family Restaurant This restaurant has been around for over 40 years. Garrett Duncan walking a growers' Cave City Watermelon . 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