cave city watermelon growers

Thousands are expected to attend the three-day event. Created with Sketch. About Arkansas Tourism They talked about their deep history of farming melons, the challenges, triumphs and even some humorous tales. by Themeansar, Johnson Brothers For the love of watermelons, Sharp County public service entities receive nearly $1.36 million from American Rescue Plan, NO!! 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. Live musicians such as Luke Stroud, the Farris Family Quartet, Legacy Five, Shane Thornton, and others will perform Thursday and Friday. Published: Jul. Right now, everything is on track for the festival to start Thursday. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have our registered trademark sticker. Historic Downtown Hardy Loaded with unique shops and restaurants, downtown Hardy is a postcard community nestled along the Spring River. 2 talking about this. This meant a garden hoe. If they have banana pudding on the menu, order extra to go! 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. It hasnt always been easy. "I think there were three people on the chamber of commerce that got [the festival] going," said. by Cathy Drew | Jul 18, 2022 | Travel Tips, Cave City, Home of the Worlds Sweetest Watermelons. For decades, Cave City has been known nationwide for its claim to fame, the sweetest watermelons. As soon as the summer sun beams down on the South, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off. Also, be sure to grab a piece of carrot cake if its on the menu. We may earn a commission from links on this page. As the festival inches closer, melons are flying off of stands just as quickly as growers are putting them there. We did everything wrong we possibly could, Gary said. The cave was both a great asset to the community and a source of mystery. There were days when the brokers would buy them and we would load five or six trailer loads that would go out to Chicago and lots of other places. Gary explained. 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. Johnson Brothers was established in 1976. 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. Charles Osborne Farms (870) 799-3459 PO Box 148 Cord, AR 72524 4. You cant go wrong with anything on their menu but be sure to order a Cinnamon Roll Iced Coffee! 5:00pm: Main stage Prize Melon Auction benefitting Arkansas Children's Hospital A melon growers' association was formed at Cave City in 1938. And if you are coming from anywhere in Arkansas, it can be a bit of a haul. Photo courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. 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. Our watermelon growers work hard all year long to produce "The World's Sweetest" watermelons! The proverbial watermelon vine was planted when the mens grandfather, Washington Worsh Johnson, first grew melons and cotton on 135 acres at Cave City. Gather around for events such as the biggest happy hour of the summer and enjoy an all-you-can-eat barbecue brunch on Sunday. The festival is the largest in the region. They are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday Saturday and are located just outside Cave City on AR-230. KAIT Region 8 News: There will soon be a new monument in Cave City to honor the town's veterans."We've actually been talking about it for several years off and on," Mayor Jonas Anderson said. Click here to return to The Takeouts 2023 Eats Calendar. 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. The 41st Cave City Watermelon Festival is set for July 29-31th. The Bank of Cave City was organized in 1906, with James A. Laman as the first president. The three-day festival will take place on July 28-30. But, in reality, it was a pivotal moment when, for the sake of their marriage, they were forced to realize they had to find a better way to cultivate near the plants. The remaining one foot section could only be done with manual labor. (Courtesy Joshua Fitzwater) "That was neat,". They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. Byrd signed to MCA Nashville Records in 1992, breaking through on the country music scene that year with his 1993 single Holdin Heaven, which reached number one on Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks. Perhaps it runs deepest in the Carter family with roots that go back four to five generations for two growers. Roadside stands are found throughout the city. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow. They are located 2 1/2 miles north of Cave City. It wasnt always successful, but with each step, they learned and improved or changed their growing methods. It is something you are going to enjoy. 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. That's saying somethingsince Johnson and his brother were raised in the watermelon fields as their parents also grew them. In addition to coffee, you can munch on breakfast and lunch selections as you head through town. The profits from the crop later paid Phillips way through college. All rights reserved. (KAIT) -Watermelons are almost ripe for picking for the annual Cave City Watermelon Festival. The icy water makes for excellent trout fishing and a beautiful floating opportunity. Powhatan Historic State Park Powhatan State Park celebrates the once-thriving community of Powhatan from its heyday as a port on the Black River. So bring your family and lawn chairs and celebrate the labor and goodness of one of the greatest contributors to the Sharp County economy. W South St. . Johnson Brothers Watermelons. 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. 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. Note the stickers on the melons in the photo. But the town began a steady decline when it was bypassed by the railroad in the late 1800s. (800) 458-4756 Read more. Every eating event you need to know about, month by month. Brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers. She leaned back on her hoe and looked back at me. 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. "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. Required fields are marked *. I have people from Dallas and Chicago drive all the way to Cave City, Arkansas just to come to our place get melons. CAVE CITY, Ark. The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. While Johnson says weather pushed back the start of the season, she said that hasnt stopped people from selling out the stands. Record collectors dont miss a chance to browse their vintage selections! Circle B Farm Farms 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS (870) 307-0302 403 Brewer Hill Rd Batesville, AR 72501 2. At 5 p.m., the Prize Melon Auction to benefit Arkansas Children's Hospital will kick off . Many out-lying families moved into town soon after the creation of the new school to better educate their children. Digital Marketing and Design - The Richland Group. The goal was to have the young men take over the operation. To contact our registered growers, check:. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. The Watermelon Growers Games will commence at 3 p.m. with a watermelon . Abra Perkey - 870-307-2666 Rustin Wooldridge - 870-283-9914Stand is located at 1424 Hwy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Cave City School - All School Reunion Time: 12:00 p.m. Place: Cave City Middle School Cafeteria Watermelon Games - for the public Time: 1:00 p.m. Place: In front of the Melon Stage Watermelon Growers Games Time: 3:00 p.m. Place: In Front of the Melon Stage Free Watermelon Feast Time: 4:00 p.m. Place: Behind the Melon Stage 5 . 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. Johnson Brothers' Watermelon Patch, 2018 (Photo by Chad Graves). You cant go wrong with anything on the menu, but the onion rings alone are worth the drive. Since 1980, they've. 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. Cave City Watermelon Festival. "Sometimes they do and they have for as long as I can remember," he said. 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. Live music begins at 5:45 p.m. with Anna Brinker, followed by Dixon Street and Tracy Byrd. (KAIT) - The Cave City Watermelon Festival is getting closer. His son, Eagle Street, later became president in 1942 and served until 1984. One bite into one of these sweet, juicy melons makes it worth the trip. 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 . Some of these were Hickory Valley, Sandtown, Curia, Clarkson, Reeds Creek/Fairview, Maxville, Emery, Mobley, Flat Rock, Cedar Grove, and Loyal. The town is home to a growing school district that includes the Cave City Charter High School. 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. The town of Cave City was incorporated in April 1907 with a Mayor-Council form of government. The melon stand is on Main Street next to Dollar General. John S. Gibson began hosting a competition for the largest melons in 1916. Among the growers, are one family who are in their third generation of production of the luscious fruit of summer. "Grew better than I've probably ever seen watermelons grow.". If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Johnson said that's a great thing because residents are always patiently waiting for that first watermelon of the season. Their first attempt at utilizing the transplanting technique over seed planting was one of the many trial and error experiences from which the Johnsons have learned. Daily Deals This salvage grocery and general merchandise store is one of a kind! Johnson says theyve seen more people at their stand and more people in the city in preparation for melon season and the festival. The prize melon auction is at 5 p.m. and benefits Arkansas Children's Hospital. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. So I prefer to go right to the source. | Privacy Policy This site is paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds. This involves discing, cultivating, fertilizing and planting that typically begins in April. The Cave City Watermelon Festival Facebook page recently posted how to know if it's a genuine Cave City watermelon versus an imposter. 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. Our trip starts out in Cave City, but you can travel north to Mammoth Spring or northeast to Black Rock. Brian, Kimberly & Bricen Carter, 870-283-2147.Carter's stand is located on Highway 167, next to Buttercup's Restaurant. Family LP Farms (870) 368-7495

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