All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. We love to get the people in here, love to see where everybody comes from for the festival and the watermelons, he said. He first spent a short time working on a construction crew that built the current highway that runs through the city the family has called home since before the early 1920s. "Pull up a chair, sit and visit for a while, and have a good time," he suggested. You want the stem to be green with a white spot on the belly. Gary added, Some of the spots are also yellow to brown depending on the variety of melon., It hasnt always been easy. It is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 6, through Saturday, Aug. 8. This line of the Laman family had settled on Curia Creek, about a mile south of present-day Cave City. Abra Perkey - 870-307-2666 Rustin Wooldridge - 870-283-9914Stand is located at 1424 Hwy. All rights reserved. Since 1980, they've. In the early 1930, Hubert Carpenter purchased the cave properties. 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. The First Baptist Church was organized in June of 1901. Also, be sure to grab a piece of carrot cake if its on the menu. J.W. This involves discing, cultivating, fertilizing and planting that typically begins in April. Gather around for events such as the biggest happy hour of the summer and enjoy an all-you-can-eat barbecue brunch on Sunday. 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. Perkey Farms-JW & Wendell Perkey | Cave City AR In those days, there were no festival, growers association, or even a sticker brand to market the melons. & Wendell Perkey Farms 870-283-4395, 870-283-5918.Located 2 miles north of Cave City on Highway 167. He then began a story about Julies participation, one that was originally supposed to be off the record. It was so good that Julie agreed it would be a good one to tell regarding things that have led to changes they still use today. They orderedplants from a greenhouse. "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. Its crazy because theres so many different components to it.. That's saying somethingsince Johnson and his brother were raised in the watermelon fields as their parents also grew them. 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! 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). It has grown exponentially each year since the new board took over. by Cathy Drew | Jul 9, 2021 | Travel Tips. The Watermelon Parade is at 10 a.m.Live music begins at noon and features Deadwood Grove, followed by The Gravel Yard Bluegrass Band. Gary recalled one incident where a broker offered his grandfather a few cents less per pound than he desired. 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. Historic Places There are seven properties on the National Register of Historic Places located in Evening Shade. Every one of them died. But as with any type of farming, errors are what leads to improvement. The harvest is the easiest part, according to the brothers. Spring Dipper Cool off with a sweet ice cream treat at the Spring Dipper. KAIT Region 8 News:It doesnt quite feel like summertime in Sharp County until the Cave City watermelons hit the stands and that happened this past week. They are located 2 1/2 miles north of Cave City. And Cave City, Arkansas, has rightfully earned recognition for being the home of the worlds sweetest watermelons. The 42nd annual Cave City Watermelon Festival is slated to begin Thursday (July 28) and run through Saturday (July 30). 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. Accepted file types: jpg, png, Max. Watermelons - Schedule your trip for mid-July through August and grab a watermelon or two from one of the registered growers. Growers Cave City Watermelon Festival . 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. Maybe you can show them how to tie a cherry stem with ones tongue? Brian, Kimberly & Bricen Carter, 870-283-2147.Carter's stand is located on Highway 167, next to Buttercup's Restaurant. 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. The melon farm is on Cold Creek Road. Johnson says theyve seen more people at their stand and more people in the city in preparation for melon season and the festival. On August 12th, 1925, Hugh and Edgar Laseter established a new standard for giant melons with their 136-lb winning watermelon. The three-day festival will take place on July 28-30. Our trip starts out in Cave City, but you can travel north to Mammoth Spring or northeast to Black Rock. Visitors can also see remnants of the famous swinging bridge which spanned the Black River until it was dismantled in 1957. Johnson suggests you could always make the trip to Sharp County to visit one of the grower's own stands as well. Woodies Main Street Cafe This classic American restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday. Johnson Brothers was established in 1976. With the help of C. P. (Prince) Matlock, efforts were made to develop the grounds and add cabins to what became known as Cave Courts. Brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers. The icy water makes for excellent trout fishing and a beautiful floating opportunity. In earlier years, before the creation of the town, the cave had belonged to the Horn family, and was known as Horns Cave. Be sure to fill out all the fields in order to have yours selected. Main Street looking South. 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. Spring River The Spring River is a favorite spot to fish, swim and float. Kevin Moore Farms, 870-283-2043.Moore's stand is located on the north end of Cave City. Gary, laughed and said he told his brother to get her some water. He said, I will let them sit there and rot before I take that. Phillip laughed, recalling the story, And thats exactly what happened. Their grandmothers family also grew melons and peddled them door to door after hauling them by wagon to Batesville. There should be enough melons for the 36th annual Cave City Watermelon Festival. Besides producing quality melons, Julie said the trademark sticker for registered users that brands the melons has helped bring customers to their stand. One bite into one of these sweet, juicy melons makes it worth the trip. 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. We try really hard to produce a great product. 5:00pm: Main stage Prize Melon Auction benefitting Arkansas Children's Hospital We know some will argue that Hope watermelons are better. Its worse than Black Friday at Walmart, Julie laughed. This is unfair to the growers who, like the Johnsons, put hundreds of hours of work into their harvest, not to mention tens of thousands of dollars they have invested in the crops. The Johnsons invite the public to enjoy the fruits of their harvest, arriving at their stand this week. John S. Gibson began hosting a competition for the largest melons in 1916. The goal was to have the young men take over the operation. As a result, they became more innovative in their production process. Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. We have confidence in our picking. Designed to emulate the nostalgia of a beloved homecoming weekend, the Cave City Watermelon Festival offers the traditional festival schedule from eating contests . The 41st Cave City Watermelon Festival is set for July 29-31th. Most actually want to know how to select the best and sweetest melon. When you think of farming in Arkansas, you likely imagine vast soybean, [] when said friend has a full slate of activities planned that go beyond the aforementioned fruit. Three Chicks Flea Market This vintage market contains a great collection of merchandise just waiting to be discovered by the next treasure hunter. The Johnson Brothers also grow cantaloupes and typically employ four or five teenagers to help get the melons out each summer. One of the earliest churches was the Flat Rock Methodist Church, established in 1858. Prior to that, Phillip said, We just trusted in the Lord and the weather. Rainfall or lack thereof is detrimental to the production of 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. 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. Far Out & Funky This fun antique store wears its name well! Where's this story? Jonas Anderson - Mayor of Cave City - orilla vallie stage 12:00pm: Live Music: Deadwood Groove - orilla vallie stage The owner of Cave City Produce Company is not doing anything illegal. The Johnson Brothers utilize a waterwheel transplanter for this part of the production. Created with Sketch. In addition to coffee, you can munch on breakfast and lunch selections as you head through town. 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. When you direct seed, you very seldom get a perfect stand. Located 15 miles north of Batesville, Cave City has several retail shops in its historic downtown area. file size: 5 MB. The preparation is always crazy, especially this time of year, just on a good year, Johnson said. 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. This included transplanting. 9:00am - 4:00pm: Cave City Cruziers Car Show - Cave City Park Registration from 9 - 12; Judging at Noon; Awards at 4:00 pm 10:00am: Watermelon Parade 11:30am: Welcome to the Festival! Historical Marker An historical marker documenting the Civil War in Sharp County and the Sharp Family in the Civil War can be seen at the corner of West Main and Court Streets. Some of these were Hickory Valley, Sandtown, Curia, Clarkson, Reeds Creek/Fairview, Maxville, Emery, Mobley, Flat Rock, Cedar Grove, and Loyal. They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. Updated: Aug. 13, 2020 at 3:19 PM PDT. In 1919, J. M. (Roe) Street became president and served in that capacity until his death in 1942. Up until that point they had only planted seeds directly in the field. It appears that you're using a severely outdated version of Safari on Windows. 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. (KAIT) - The Cave City Watermelon Festival is getting closer. Required fields are marked *. For the town that boasts. 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. All rights reserved. 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. 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. The annual Cave City Watermelon Festival is like a homecoming for some and a chance make new friends and feast on city's renowned melons for others. Its the perfect country supply store. Tohi Nature Trail This easy trail is a popular walking and birdwatching trail located just past the WRMC Medical Complex. They are going to take it home to family, to the river, the lake. Cin-sations Flea Market This hidden treasure isnt found on social media, but you will find loads of treasures inside this quaint antique/junk shop! Sometimes the lot is so full the melon trucks cant get in to unload. 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. This meant a garden hoe. We may earn a commission from links on this page. There is also a thriving art and music scene. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Only in Arkansas. Laman Bros. General Store (Photo from the Gary Perkey collection.). When a watermelon is cut off the vine, it is as good as it ever will be, it wont keep ripening, Gary explained. It will include games, auctions, seed spitting contests, free watermelon feasts, a family wet zone park, and live entertainment, including headliner Tracy Byrd. "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?'". Live musicians such as Luke Stroud, the Farris Family Quartet, Legacy Five, Shane Thornton, and others will perform Thursday and Friday. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000. At. 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. My wife Britney and our 2 sons also help. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. They platted off the town and reportedly gave land to other churches and for the establishment of a school. The prize melon will be auctioned off to benefit St. Judes. Roadside stands are found throughout the city. . 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. Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs current publicity chair. Regardless, its high summer, and Im ready for a sweet treat. In 2017, the Cave City Watermelon Festival was inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame by the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Cave City watermelons are so unparalleled that there is a list of registered growers who put stickers on their products so buyers know their watermelons are official Cave City Watermelons. Many of the early pioneer family names echo through the area today: Jackson, Horn, Barnett, Brewer, Laman, Gray, Meacham, Wooldridge, Shanks, Rawlings, Green, Witten, Landers, Rodgers, Ball, Crow, Wilson, Fore, Lewis, Aldridge, Montgomery, Johnson, Gilbert, Vance, Vaughn, Stewart, Story, Stout, Matlock, Baxter, Bain, Jones, Chaudoin, Martin, Felts, Burge, Albright and Ford. It hasnt always been easy. It wasnt until the late 1990s that the Johnson Brothers began utilizing irrigation techniques in their fields. 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. It [doesnt] just start, you know in the spring, but it goes all year, Rustin Wooldridge, a fourth-generation grower, said. The prize melon auction is at 5 p.m. and benefits Arkansas Childrens Hospital. But the town began a steady decline when it was bypassed by the railroad in the late 1800s. They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. Ellis and Ernest Landers had the largest acreage planted in watermelons --- 45 acres. 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! 4,446 were here. Were proud of what we do and we try to put the best that we can out there, Woolridge said. "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 . Cave City Watermelon Festival. We appreciate the volunteer work already underway around town to prepare for the festival, Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson said. Our watermelon growers work hard all year long to produce "The World's Sweetest" watermelons! She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000. Ozark Classic Craft Mall Like many small businesses, the last year has been difficult. Cave Citys watermelons arent touted as the sweetest in the world for no reason. The nearest post office, which had been located at Loyal, was physically moved to the new town of Cave City in 1892. The Spring Dipper Cool off with a sweet treat three Chicks Flea Market this hidden treasure found! Photo from the gary Perkey collection. ) fish, swim and float can munch on breakfast and selections! Accepted file types: jpg, png, Max is at 5 p.m. and benefits Childrens. But the town began a story about Julies participation, one that was originally supposed to discovered. 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