The melon farm is on Cold Creek Road. 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. The annual watermelon festival, which draws thousands to the town each year, is scheduled for July 26-28. Through the years, they have learned which planting techniques provide the best yield. The rich, sandy soil that is exclusive to the area is what gives the melons such asweet flavor. 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. 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. That is a big deal to us. 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. Julie loves adventure. 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. But one common seed is the craving for the fruit of summer the watermelon. Julie said she credits their customers with being the main reason their business has remained successful. The Johnsons invite the public to enjoy the fruits of their harvest, arriving at their stand this week. The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. Additionally, there are several big events with live music throughout the year. We love to get the people in here, love to see where everybody comes from for the festival and the watermelons, he said. Most activities are at the Cave . 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and while folks in my neck of the woods go bonkers when a pickup truck with a bed-full of [], Your email address will not be published. Perkey Farms is a family owned and operating watermelon farm. That is when we really went to studying how to do things a different way, Gary said. The Watermelon Growers Games will commence at 3 p.m. with a watermelon . That congregation has continued to grow and is currently adding to its present structure to accommodate an ever-expanding membership. The Johnsons reputation is based on the sweetness and perfection of their melons and they dont want to put the responsibility of cutting them off the vine on anyone else. 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. For decades, Cave City has been known nationwide for its claim to fame, the sweetest watermelons. It then puts about a cup of water in the hole and Julie and Becky sit on the back of the machine and place the rooted plants in the ground one by one. Copyright 2018KAIT. Patterson Brothers Farms 501-412-3819.Patterson's stand is located in Cave City, across from Double B's. 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. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. This is a skillset that has been continually improved upon by the Johnsons since the 1920s. A melon growers' association was formed at Cave City in 1938. "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 . The Festival will happen at the Cave City Park. Source: http://www.kait8.com/story/38582549/cave-city-watermelon-growers-warn-against-knockoffs Share We were all so excited. That's saying somethingsince Johnson and his brother were raised in the watermelon fields as their parents also grew them. The memorial is being built near the city hall, under the big welcome sign. 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. Today not much remains but visitors will enjoy the two state parks located within the community. "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. While Johnson says weather pushed back the start of the season, she said that hasnt stopped people from selling out the stands. 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. 4:00pm: Free Watermelon Feast - Behind Melon stage. by Cathy Drew | Jul 9, 2021 | Travel Tips. . After returning to Cave City from World War II, Lester became a watermelon farmer in 1945. Watermelons - Schedule your trip for mid-July through August and grab a watermelon or two from one of the registered growers. 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. Arkansas Tourism, a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, strives to expand the economic impact of travel and tourism in the state and enhance the quality of life for all Arkansans. Its part of The Takeouts 2023 Eats Calendar, a rundown of the years best events. Authors Note: Some locations may have altered hours, service or be temporarily closed due to Covid. Click here to learn how owner Marc Herring overcame adversity during the pandemic, then stop by and shop the craft mall. He promptly refused. First Security Bank, Member FDIC. 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 . Thankfully, that changed once we finally shook winter and headed into May. So much so that Cave Citys watermelons are celebrated each year at the annual Cave City Watermelon Festival Celebrating its 42ndyear, the 2022 Cave City Watermelon Festival officials are looking to draw thousands into Cave City for the celebration. That leaves us with a whole day to explore, and the roads out of Cave City lead to interesting locations. In the beginning, they took trips to sell melons. Julie said, There are no female melons, laughing in anticipation of the question, but stating it is one so many people ask. About Arkansas Tourism We did everything wrong we possibly could, Gary said. Roadside stands are found throughout the city. Try the sloppy joe and you wont be disappointed! CAVE CITY, Ark. Brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers. Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. You will pass through the towns of Strawberry, Lynn, Powhatan and Black Rock. 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. The Cave City Watermelon Festival Committee has added a new event this year called The Chad Wooldridge Memorial Pitch Tournament. | Privacy Policy This site is paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Many features won't work correctly, and functionality can't be guaranteed. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. In 2015 they "retired", and a new committee of volunteers have since taken the festival to even greater success, with expanded entertainment, activities for the entire family, and record-setting crowds; from the beginning to now it's always been about celebrating the town and its rich history of producing the worlds best watermelons. Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). We have very loyal people. Last night, I had a Facebook message from a guy driving four hours to get watermelons. Digital Marketing and Design - The Richland Group. 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. Gather around for events such as the biggest happy hour of the summer and enjoy an all-you-can-eat barbecue brunch on Sunday. Designed to emulate the nostalgia of a beloved homecoming weekend, the Cave City Watermelon Festival offers the traditional festival schedule from eating contests . 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. Flickr/kitchener.lord. Most dont realize just how far back the watermelon tradition goes, even predating the 1938 establishment of a growers association and the 1980 creation of the Cave City Watermelon Festival, first as a one day event. Live musicians such as Luke Stroud, the Farris Family Quartet, Legacy Five, Shane Thornton, and others will perform Thursday and Friday. The prize melon auction is at 5 p.m. and benefits Arkansas Childrens Hospital. Perkey Farms-JW & Wendell Perkey | Cave City AR The festival struck Gold, outshining all the other entries in the Best Video Promotion (Budget under $100,000) division. Procedures for Commercial/Industrial Construction. "I think there were three people on the chamber of commerce that got [the festival] going," said. An original postcard of the Crystal River Cave Camp as it appeared in the 1930s. After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. 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. Regardless, its high summer, and Im ready for a sweet treat. 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. 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. 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. 2 personas estn hablando de esto. It wasnt until the late 1990s that the Johnson Brothers began utilizing irrigation techniques in their fields. Since 1980, they've. Growers Cave City Watermelon Festival . 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. In the early 1930, Hubert Carpenter purchased the cave properties. Usually the Cave City Watermelon Festival is held the week after the Hope Watermelon Festival, but this year they were held concurrently. Johnson Brothers Watermelons. Johnson suggests you could always make the trip to Sharp County to visit one of the grower's own stands as well. 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 . They are located 2 1/2 miles north of Cave City. YP, the YP logo and all other YP marks contained herein are trademarks of YP LLC and/or YP affiliated companies. Watermelons Schedule your trip for mid-July through August and grab a watermelon or two from one of the registered growers. The festival is Aug. 6-8, and Crystal said it is the biggest event in Sharp County. 7 - The World's Sweetest Watermelons. Preferred listings, or those with featured website buttons, indicate YP advertisers who directly provide information about their businesses to help consumers make more informed buying decisions. This changed the way the Johnsons produced their melons for the first time in history. She leaned back on her hoe and looked back at me. Usually the famous watermelons are ready to go by July 4th but this year the crop is a . You can also learn more about her writing on her site Seek Adventures Media. The Cave City Watermelon Festival is held every July over three days. They orderedplants from a greenhouse. For Wooldridge, its not his first rodeo. 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. There should be enough melons for the 36th annual Cave City Watermelon Festival. Many exterior shots for the show were filmed in the city and fans may recognize some of the shots. Head due north out of Cave City for a beautiful trip that will take you through Evening Shade, Ash Flat, Hardy and Mammoth Spring. "Grew better than I've probably ever seen watermelons grow.". Laman Bros. General Store (Photo from the Gary Perkey collection.). Other students moved into town and boarded with family, friends, or in boarding houses which were made available to entice more students to the school. 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 three-day festival will take place on July 28-30. As a result, they became more innovative in their production process. You can always check the Cave City Watermelon Festival's website to get information on each of the certified growers. Perhaps it runs deepest in the Carter family with roots that go back four to five generations for two growers. Were ready for everybody to come to Cave City.. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. These include learning optimal plant and row spacing and the biggest innovation since the beginning utilizing irrigation techniques. Evening Shade is small but gained some popularity in the 90s when it was the setting for the television show of the same name starring Burt Reynolds. The nearest post office, which had been located at Loyal, was physically moved to the new town of Cave City in 1892. The proverbial watermelon vine was planted when the mens grandfather, Washington Worsh Johnson, first grew melons and cotton on 135 acres at Cave City. 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