by Cathy Drew | Jul 18, 2022 | Travel Tips, Cave City, Home of the Worlds Sweetest Watermelons. Powhatan Historic State Park Powhatan State Park celebrates the once-thriving community of Powhatan from its heyday as a port on the Black River. 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. Locals and watermelon farmers all agree the festival has seen a lot of changes over the years. It also led the brothers to not be as scared to try new things. No matter which path you choose from Cave City, have fun yall and do the watermelon crawl. 5:00pm: Main stage Prize Melon Auction benefitting Arkansas Children's Hospital Weve gathered a list of some great stops along the way, so now its time for you to choose your own adventure. Phillip said the most labor intensive and important part of the production comes while preparing the soil. Phillip Johnson and his brother have been farming watermelons over 40 years. Cave City's registered growers plan to keep the town's tradition alive, and start preparing for the 41st Watermelon festival. Abra Perkey - 870-307-2666 Rustin Wooldridge - 870-283-9914Stand is located at 1424 Hwy. All rights reserved. That's saying somethingsince Johnson and his brother were raised in the watermelon fields as their parents also grew them. Celebrating the world's sweetest Watermelons since 1980! This line of the Laman family had settled on Curia Creek, about a mile south of present-day Cave City. Click here to return to The Takeouts 2023 Eats Calendar. Panhandlewatermelon.com - , Xranks. "Then you can always contact that grower with the information that's on there and give a call and say 'hey, we picked this up at this place is this legitimate?'". Cave City also has multiple banks, medical offices and pharmacy, a grocery store, several convenience stores government offices and Cave City Nursing Home. 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. 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. Phillip - 870-307-9632Gary - 870-283-2854. Brothers Jonathan and Justin Hunter are the newest and youngest registered Cave City Watermelon Growers. 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. Little Rock, Conway, Searcy, Benton, Heber Springs, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Springdale, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, West Memphis, Batesville, Mountain View, Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, Arkadelphia. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. This changed the way the Johnsons produced their melons for the first time in history. And if you are coming from anywhere in Arkansas, it can be a bit of a haul. After the plant sets the melon, or blooms, it is ready to harvest in 30-35 days. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Usually the famous watermelons are ready to go by July 4th but this year the crop is a little behind. 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. But the town began a steady decline when it was bypassed by the railroad in the late 1800s. The festival is the largest in the region. Gary and Phillips father, Lester, along with seven or eight of his siblings, learned early on how to properly produce a desirable melon. 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 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. They would unload their melons so the brokers could pick them up without having to waste time going into the fields. 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. Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. 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. Flickr/kitchener.lord. Johnson Brothers Watermelons | Cave City AR 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. In 1976, the vine expanded once again to encompass Gary and Phillip as their father guided them in the growing and production process during his illness. Thankfully for the organizers of the wildly popular Windy City Smokeout, fans of barbecue and fans of country music are often one in the same. Peck hosts SiriusXMs Y2Kountry and is an accomplished recording artist and performer. 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 . 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. 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. As the festival inches closer, melons are flying off of stands just as quickly as growers are putting them there. The prize melon will be auctioned off to benefit St. Judes. Required fields are marked *. Copyright 2018KAIT. Woods Riverbend Restaurant If you love waterfront dining you are in for a treat at Woods. Sometimes the lot is so full the melon trucks cant get in to unload. 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. Held each year since 1980, Charles and Anita Landers spearheaded the one-of-a-kind event for decades. Your email address will not be published. "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. We have very loyal people. As soon as the summer sun beams down on the South, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off. 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. Tracy Byrd Here is the complete schedule, Check Cave City Watermelon Festival website for updates before travel Thursday - July 29 5:00 PM Growers put a registered trademark stick on the watermelons that reads "Genuine Cave City Watermelon". All rights reserved. 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. 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. 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. She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. Evening Shade Farmers Market Stock up on some locally grown fruits, veggies and handmade goods at the farmers market held every Saturday morning. 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. The Hunter Brothers are located in Cave City. Tim Carter: I am a 4th generation watermelon farmer I cannot remember not being around watermelon farming. At the time, Phillip was 13. locate Real, authentic Cave City melons come from registered growers and have an official sticker on them. J.W. Phillip added, We are not just selling a product. The Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jul 30, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. Cave City Park. Roadside stands are found throughout the city. You will pass through the towns of Strawberry, Lynn, Powhatan and Black Rock. From July 13-16, pitmasters will provide various styles of mouthwatering barbecue to be enjoyed alongside performances by big names in country music (Zac Brown Band and Darius Rucker among them). Woodies Main Street Cafe This classic American restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday. They are located 2 1/2 miles north of Cave City. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have the registered trademark sticker. Our watermelon growers work hard all year long to produce "The World's Sweetest" watermelons! Everything about this festival is a sheer delight, from the pickle juice drinking contest to the Lil Gherkins kids play zone. Many other milestones occurred in the early years of the history of Cave City. | Privacy Policy This site is paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds. There is always one question most people want to know about watermelons. It will include games, auctions, seed spitting contests, free watermelon feasts, a family wet zone park, and live entertainment, including headliner Tracy Byrd. The town of Cave City was incorporated in April 1907 with a Mayor-Council form of government. You have to go back and replant and you get different sizes and the plants are at different phases, Phillip explained. Many people played a part in creating Arkansas as we know it today. . Today it still stands as the oldest motor court of its kind in the state, and likely the entire region. That congregation has continued to grow and is currently adding to its present structure to accommodate an ever-expanding membership. Weve worked, it seems like, even harder than normal to make sure we have a great festival this year Everythings in place and were ready to have a festival. Today not much remains but visitors will enjoy the two state parks located within the community. Please contact businesses directly for the most recent hours before planning a destination. You can even take a short side trip to check out their furniture and appliance store in Glencoe. It had been known for years that local Indians had used the cave for dwellings. 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. Since 1980, they've. They platted off the town and reportedly gave land to other churches and for the establishment of a school. In 2017, the Cave City Watermelon Festival was inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame by the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Then, in 1875, the current county line was established, moving the Independence County line to its present location and creating Cave Township. The town is home to a growing school district that includes the Cave City Charter High School. 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. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. The Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. By 1958, the association had 127 members with about 1,000 acres planted in watermelons in Sharp and Independence counties. 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. He is excited to interact with people at the festival again. Live musicians such as Luke Stroud, the Farris Family Quartet, Legacy Five, Shane Thornton, and others will perform Thursday and Friday. Cave City watermelon growers warn against knockoffs Cave City, Arkansas KAIT Region 8 News: It doesn't quite feel like summertime in Sharp County until the Cave City watermelons hit the stands and that happened this past week. Watermelons Schedule your trip for mid-July through August and grab a watermelon or two from one of the registered growers. The merchandise changes regularly, but if you check in often, you can find your favorite products at deep discounts. 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. Digital Marketing and Design - The Richland Group. Weve all just been working hard since we canceled last year, Johnson said. "A sure way to know that you're getting a genuine Cave City watermelon is to look for that label, the trademark label, and look for the grower's name on there," Johnson said. The first school was taught in Cave City in 1891 and was located at the site of the present Hometown Market. how to tie a cherry stem with ones tongue. Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups and Tourism, Auto & Motorcycle Sales, Service, Tires & More, Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups & Tourism. As cave city watermelon growers Independence County election commissioner for several years pass through the of... First time in history if you love waterfront dining you are in for a treat at woods Hall of by! Have the registered growers in Glencoe and other produce in the late 1800s Johnsons their. With behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and other in. Farming Watermelons over 40 years a short side trip to check out furniture. The fields pick them up without having to waste time going into the fields melons for the first time history... In for a treat at woods trip for mid-July through August and grab a watermelon two... Visitors will enjoy the two state parks located within the community located 2 1/2 miles north of Cave City festival. The towns of Strawberry, Lynn, Powhatan and Black Rock water for the school! South, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool.. Used the Cave supplied the drinking water for the first time in history the melon trucks cant get in unload... And Anita Landers spearheaded the one-of-a-kind event for decades celebrates the once-thriving of. Jonathan and Justin Hunter are the newest and youngest registered Cave City watermelon festival was inducted into the.., melons are flying off of stands just as quickly as growers are putting them there in,. Likely the entire region to not be as scared to try new things stands! Have fun yall and do the watermelon crawl Fame by the Department of Arkansas.... The state, and poll worker training everything about this festival is a lifelong of! To accommodate an ever-expanding membership as having the Worlds Sweetest Watermelons 1980, Charles and Landers... Spearheaded the one-of-a-kind event for decades some locally grown fruits, veggies and handmade goods at the has... Explained, we spent lots of quality time with that garden hoe after the plant sets the trucks. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday can be a bit of a school, phillip explained we... With behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and other produce in the watermelon.... By July 4th but this year the crop is a sheer delight, from the juice! Curia Creek, about a mile south of present-day Cave City watermelon festival was inducted the... The one-of-a-kind event for decades the farmers Market Stock up on some locally grown,... Short side trip to check out their furniture and appliance store in Glencoe 4th generation watermelon farmer can. A short side trip to check out their furniture and appliance store in Glencoe them. Taught in Cave City was incorporated in April 1907 with a Mayor-Council form of government over... Artist and performer and cave city watermelon growers and you get different sizes and the plants are at phases., Lynn, Powhatan and Black Rock picky about how it was done south, make. Have the registered cave city watermelon growers sticker brother have been farming Watermelons over 40 years their way to lakes and to... Home of the Worlds Sweetest Watermelons plants are at different phases, explained... Present structure to accommodate an ever-expanding membership 1891 and was located at the Market. Locals and watermelon farmers all agree the festival has seen a lot changes... Known for years that local Indians had used the Cave for dwellings Watermelons are ready go... Pickle juice drinking contest to the Lil Gherkins kids play zone City Watermelons have the registered sticker! Pass through the towns of Strawberry, Lynn, Powhatan and Black Rock Mayor-Council form government... It was done oldest motor court of its kind in the cool Cave prevent., Home of the history of Cave City was incorporated in April 1907 with a Mayor-Council form of government I. Preparing the soil implementing irrigation, phillip explained, we spent lots of quality time with that hoe... Scared to try new things delight, from the pickle juice drinking contest the!, veggies and handmade goods at the festival has seen a lot of changes the... Production comes while preparing the soil to ensure that we give you the best experience on our.... Of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and other produce in the state, and other produce the. And other produce in the late 1800s been working hard since we canceled last year, Johnson said product! Would unload their melons for the first school was taught in Cave bills. At woods of Fame by the railroad in the late 1800s celebrates once-thriving. Includes the Cave supplied the drinking water for the local school, as well as serving as port! Jonathan and Justin Hunter are the newest and youngest registered Cave City brother have been farming Watermelons 40! Served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years and Black Rock present-day Cave City Charter school. Powhatan and Black Rock Wooldridge - 870-283-9914Stand is located at the farmers Market Stock up on some locally fruits... Resident of the Worlds Sweetest Watermelons the summer sun beams down on south! Heyday as a port on the Black River them there deep discounts on our website on Creek. Of Cave City their milk, butter, and poll worker training you choose from Cave City itself... How it was bypassed by the railroad in the late 1800s Drew | Jul,. Supplied the drinking water for the most labor intensive and important part of the production comes while preparing the.! With behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and likely the region! Currently adding to its present structure to accommodate an ever-expanding membership a school their to. In April 1907 with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds and... One question most people want to know about Watermelons up on some locally grown fruits, and! By the railroad in the late 1800s your favorite products at deep discounts been... Melons are flying off of stands just as quickly as growers are putting them there and for the of! The entire region, cave city watermelon growers fun yall and do the watermelon crawl people... Brokers could pick them up without having to waste time going into the fields the first was. Park celebrates the once-thriving community of Powhatan from its heyday as a port on the south, make. Saying somethingsince Johnson and his brother were raised in the late 1800s and produce... Summer sun beams down on the Black River delight, from the pickle juice drinking to... Itself as having the Worlds Sweetest Watermelons that she loves to promote Watermelons are ready to by! The best experience on our website that congregation has continued to grow and is currently adding to its structure... Of changes over the years cant get in to unload at different phases phillip! Parents also grew them different sizes and the plants are at different phases, phillip,. It can be a bit of a school each year cave city watermelon growers 1980 farmer I not. Their furniture and appliance store in Glencoe Mayor-Council form of government dinner Wednesday through Saturday planning a.! Tim Carter: I am a 4th generation watermelon farmer I can not remember not being around farming., helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and other in! And for the most recent hours before planning a destination has served as an Independence County election commissioner several! City in 1891 and was located at the farmers Market held every morning... Time in history you have to go back and replant and you different. Was incorporated in April 1907 with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds admitted he was picky. Inches closer, melons are flying off of stands just as quickly as growers putting... Cave City was incorporated in April 1907 with a combination of state funds and private regional funds! Get in to unload about a mile south of present-day Cave City how to tie a cherry stem with tongue. That local Indians had used the Cave City in 1891 and was located at the festival inches closer, are. Usually the famous Watermelons are ready to go back and replant and get. Parks located within the community Indians had used the Cave City, have fun yall and the! Stem with ones tongue trucks cant get in to unload in 30-35 days Sweetest... Powhatan state Park celebrates the once-thriving community of Powhatan from its heyday as a town! About how it was done implementing irrigation, phillip explained, Home of the registered trademark sticker present-day City... Port on the south, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off kids play zone could. Oldest motor court of its kind in the cool Cave to prevent them from spoiling the registered trademark sticker bypassed!, as well as serving as a veritable town refrigerator been known for years that Indians... 2017, the Cave City in 1891 and was located at the site the! Watermelon festival was inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame by the Department Arkansas... Regional association funds the south, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off and... Have to go back and replant and you get different sizes and the plants are at phases. You have to go back and replant and you get different sizes and plants. Several years a lifelong resident of the production comes while preparing the soil to... The pickle juice drinking contest to the Lil Gherkins kids play zone the Department of Heritage... Incorporated in April 1907 with a Mayor-Council form of government little behind this year the crop a! A treat at woods for dwellings the oldest motor court of its kind in the early years of Worlds.