Copyright 2021 KAIT. Tracy Byrd Here is the complete schedule, Check Cave City Watermelon Festival website for updates before travel Thursday - July 29 5:00 PM We got 2000 plants from a hot greenhouse. For Wooldridge, its not his first rodeo. It is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 6, through Saturday, Aug. 8. "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. 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. 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and while folks in my neck of the woods go bonkers when a pickup truck with a bed-full of [], Your email address will not be published.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 the beginning, they took trips to sell melons. 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). 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 Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. 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. 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. Jonesboro! Watermelons Schedule your trip for mid-July through August and grab a watermelon or two from one of the registered growers. Watermelons and other various produce such as. 167 and 115. Older Post Cave City watermelon growers warn against knockoffs. Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). CAVE CITY, Ark. The First Baptist Church was organized in June of 1901. For Food Vendor Inquiries call Andrea @ 870-283-5301 . County Music Legion Tracy Byrd, will be headlining this years festival on Saturday Night. Phillip - 870-307-9632Gary - 870-283-2854. 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. But one common seed is the craving for the fruit of summer the watermelon. Phillip - 870-307-9632 Gary - 870-283-2854 Its the perfect country supply store. As soon as the summer sun beams down on the South, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off. Were proud of what we do and we try to put the best that we can out there, Woolridge said. When they are picking, the selection goes fast, so we get there early. Locals and watermelon farmers all agree the festival has seen a lot of changes over the years. Growers Cave City Watermelon Festival . Then, in 1875, the current county line was established, moving the Independence County line to its present location and creating Cave Township. Back to . The towns population began to be drawn to the larger area of Walnut Ridge and further declined when the highway was built 2 miles outside of town. | Privacy Policy This site is paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have the registered trademark sticker. One of the most favorite and anticipated of these camp meetings was the holiness camp meeting held every year at Calamine by ministers of the Nazarene Church. Source: http://www.kait8.com/story/38582549/cave-city-watermelon-growers-warn-against-knockoffs Share . They carry everything you need for a successful fishing trip on the Spring River. Over at Perkey & Woolridge, theyre experiencing the same busyness. . All rights reserved. Johnson Brothers' Watermelon Patch, 2018 (Photo by Chad Graves). Currently the Johnsons plant 15 acres each year with 1300 watermelon plants per acre. The cave at Cave City served as a source of pride for the community for many years, and the Cave Courts housed many tourists who traveled through that area of Northeast Arkansas. We are excited to welcome everyone back this year.. This changed the way the Johnsons produced their melons for the first time in history. 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. "I think there were three people on the chamber of commerce that got [the festival] going," said. 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. Usually the famous watermelons are ready to go by July 4th but this year the crop is a little behind. This often makes others think all Cave City melons are priced as high as that of the resellers who are selling them out of town. 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. About Arkansas Tourism 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. The first school was taught in Cave City in 1891 and was located at the site of the present Hometown Market. 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. It has been said that most of the post offices and schools were about five miles distant, as that was about as far as people were willing to walk or ride a horse to get to these establishments! The melon stand is on Main Street next to Dollar General. An original postcard of the Crystal River Cave Camp as it appeared in the 1930s. 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 . Outfitters include Spring River Oaks, Many Islands Camp and Canoe, and Southfork Resort. Cave City's activities in producing watermelons reach as far back as 1938, when a Melon Grower's Association for Sharp and Independence counties was organized at Cave City . Big Creek Man Cave Whether you are looking for sporting goods, ammo, hunting for a rare book, or just seeking a cool find Big Creek Man Cave is the place to shop. Besides producing quality melons, Julie said the trademark sticker for registered users that brands the melons has helped bring customers to their stand. One of the earliest churches was the Flat Rock Methodist Church, established in 1858. Copyright 2020 Newsup. In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. "Sometimes they do and they have for as long as I can remember," he said. 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. 2, 2019 at 5:14 PM PDT. The Cave City Watermelon Festival will take place July 26-28 at the Cave City city park. 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. You can even take a short side trip to check out their furniture and appliance store in Glencoe. It is something you are going to enjoy. Another point of interest was the cave which was located in the center of town, and from which the town received its name. Woodies Main Street Cafe This classic American restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday. It is located two and a half miles North of Cave City on Hwy. Johnson said that's a great thing because residents are always patiently waiting for that first watermelon of the season. 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. This meant a garden hoe. His son, Eagle Street, later became president in 1942 and served until 1984. The harvest is the easiest part, according to the brothers. Tohi Nature Trail This easy trail is a popular walking and birdwatching trail located just past the WRMC Medical Complex. 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. From left, Tyler Parsley, Cederic Etheridge, Jonathan Fowler and Julie Johnson, members of the Cave City Watermelon Festival Committee, stand by some of the melons they will be celebrating July 27-29. The fun filled event is packed full of live music, great food, old friends, and of course, WATERMELON! 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. "Pull up a chair, sit and visit for a while, and have a good time," he suggested. Phillip said before harvesting, they first thump, pat, roll and then finally cut them off the plant. Julie explained You want that melon to sound hollow. Haley Adams enjoys a big slice of watermelon at the 2007 Cave City Watermelon Festival. Live musicians such as Luke Stroud, the Farris Family Quartet, Legacy Five, Shane Thornton, and others will perform Thursday and Friday. 4:00pm: Free Watermelon Feast - Behind Melon stage. 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. The festival is the largest in the region. The couple laughed at the recollection of the memory. Activities include a childrens fishing derby, 5K run, car show, pancake breakfast, parade, school alumni reunion, speed eating contest, seed spitting contest, free watermelon feast, prize melon auction, incredible food, kids wet zone, and live music. Spring River Mammoth Spring is also a popular location for floating the Spring River. Plan your visit to Cave City and make sure to attend their Watermelon Festival in July! Gary, laughed and said he told his brother to get her some water.