WEATHERFORD, TEXAS - The north Texas city was once one of the state's biggest watermelon growers (not so much anymore) and once featured an oversized watermelon sculpture outside its courthouse. Pickled foods are, of course, the highlight here, but its comedy-focused too, featuring stand-up shows and touring performers throughout the weekend. 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. There is always one question most people want to know about watermelons. We appreciate the volunteer work already underway around town to prepare for the festival, Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson said. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. 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! Through the years, they have learned which planting techniques provide the best yield. Over the years, the Johnsons have overcome any obstacle in their path. 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. One of the earliest churches was the Flat Rock Methodist Church, established in 1858. Our trip starts out in Cave City, but you can travel north to Mammoth Spring or northeast to Black Rock. 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. Travelers will also find antique stores and flea markets. It wasnt until the late 1990s that the Johnson Brothers began utilizing irrigation techniques in their fields. (KAIT) - The town of Cave City and festival goers from all over the country are kicking off the 40th annual Watermelon Festival this week. As far back as 1938 a Melon Growers Association for Sharp and Independence counties was organized at Cave City, with the following officers elected: President, Fred Anderson; Vice-President, Wilburn Jackson; Secretary, Marvin Bull; and Treasurer, Orville Girtman. CAVE CITY, Ark. When a watermelon is cut off the vine, it is as good as it ever will be, it wont keep ripening, Gary explained. Click here to return to The Takeouts 2023 Eats Calendar. 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. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have the registered trademark sticker. This line of the Laman family had settled on Curia Creek, about a mile south of present-day Cave City. She leaned back on her hoe and looked back at me. 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. 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. 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 . As soon as the summer sun beams down on the South, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off. Cave City has held the tradition of celebrating the "world's sweetest watermelons" by holding a watermelon festival every summer since 1980. Tim Carter: I am a 4th generation watermelon farmer I cannot remember not being around watermelon farming. Gary, laughed and said he told his brother to get her some water. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. Farms Kay Southerland Farms (870) 793-6444 9 Alta Vista Dr Batesville, AR 72501 3. In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry. Back to . It is about an event, about happiness. They were placed nine feet apart then, today, they are only three feet apart. It is located two and a half miles North of Cave City on Hwy. About Arkansas Tourism 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. 1930's. Organizers and growers say theyve worked harder to prepare for this years festival. Johnson Brothers Watermelons is a family operated business consisting of Gary & Becky & Phillip &. They orderedplants from a greenhouse. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups and Tourism, Auto & Motorcycle Sales, Service, Tires & More, Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups & Tourism. Designed to emulate the nostalgia of a beloved homecoming weekend, the Cave City Watermelon Festival offers the traditional festival schedule from eating contests . Johnson said that's a great thing because residents are always patiently waiting for that first watermelon of the season. After the plant sets the melon, or blooms, it is ready to harvest in 30-35 days. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. Accepted file types: jpg, png, Max. The park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. This free, family friendly event is chocked full of food, entertainment and vendors, not to mention the free, ice cold melons on Saturday. Phillip Johnson and his brother have been farming watermelons over 40 years. Its a big deal.. Weve gathered a list of some great stops along the way, so now its time for you to choose your own adventure. 167 North of Cave City. No one picks the watermelons but Gary and Phillip. 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. The melon farm is on Cold Creek Road. Welcome home! "I think there were three people on the chamber of commerce that got [the festival] going," said. Prior to planting, they use a machine to lay down the black plastic and drip tape that will carry water to the plants after they are transplanted. The continual hot weather has now put them about one week ahead of schedule in opening the stands. They offer indoor and outdoor dining and a menu that includes a little bit of everything. Historic Downtown Hardy Loaded with unique shops and restaurants, downtown Hardy is a postcard community nestled along the Spring River. Our watermelon growers work hard all year long to produce "The World's Sweetest" watermelons! They bring with them lots of experience. Every eating event you need to know about, month by month. 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. (KAIT) - Even though the Cave City Watermelon Festival was canceled, melon season has been going better than expected. Among the growers, are one family who are in their third generation of production of the luscious fruit of summer. Source: http://www.kait8.com/story/38582549/cave-city-watermelon-growers-warn-against-knockoffs Share That's saying somethingsince Johnson and his brother were raised in the watermelon fields as their parents also grew them. Artisan Grill The Artisan Grill takes the food you love and gives it a flare that makes it more than special. Please try viewing this website in Edge, Mozilla, Chrome, or another modern browser. 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 . Pittsburgh is out here proving that it might be the city with the best sense of humor, mounting the Picklesburgh festival annually in partnership with Pennsylvania-based Heinz. 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! Abra Perkey - 870-307-2666 Rustin Wooldridge - 870-283-9914Stand is located at 1424 Hwy. Copyright 2021 KAIT. Celebrating the world's sweetest Watermelons since 1980! In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry. The park includes the Courthouse which was constructed in 1888 after the original courthouse burned down along with several historic structures. Not necessarily "scare-your-pants-off" adventure but the kind where you seek out new and exciting things. One of the earliest references to a Fourth of July picnic at Cave City was in the Sharp County Recordnewspaper in June of 1899, planning a picnic for that year. Be sure to fill out all the fields in order to have yours selected. I decided to carry on the tradition and raised my first solo melon crop the next spring. Evening Shade Farmers Market Stock up on some locally grown fruits, veggies and handmade goods at the farmers market held every Saturday morning. Cave City watermelons are arguably the best watermelons in the world. That is when we really went to studying how to do things a different way, Gary said. As a kid, I raised watermelons with my grandpa, Billy Carter. So bring your family and lawn chairs and celebrate the labor and goodness of one of the greatest contributors to the Sharp County economy. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. The melon stand is on Main Street next to Dollar General. Stop in for lunch or dinner and you will know why. By 1958, the association had 127 members with about 1,000 acres planted in watermelons in Sharp and Independence counties. You can always check the Cave City Watermelon Festival's website to get information on each of the certified growers. We try really hard to produce a great product. 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). Order with an open mind, and you will enjoy an explosion of flavor like youve never had before. Published: Jul. The Cave City Watermelon Festival Facebook page recently posted how to know if it's a genuine Cave City watermelon versus an imposter. The fact is, growers begin working to bring the melons to the area months before with preparations long before the plants even go into the green-houses and eventually into the earth where they will grow. The building for that church was completed in 1898 and existed until the Methodist Church was united in 1939. Last night, I had a Facebook message from a guy driving four hours to get watermelons. Over the years, small communities and churches sprang up in this area of Sharp and Independence counties, many of which established their own post offices and schools. . 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. Phillip laughed recalling a story his mother told, They got married on March 30 and were in the watermelon fields on April 1. Their parents harvested melons until 1976 when Lester became ill. At the peak of watermelon production during the 1960s, the growers association that was established in 1938 had 127 members with over 1000 acres of melons planted. 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. And if you are coming from anywhere in Arkansas, it can be a bit of a haul. My grower of choice is Johnson Brothers and I can find all of the latest information regarding availability right on their Facebook page. Although Im perfectly content to drive two hours just to buy a $15 watermelon, you may need some convincing. Brian, Kimberly & Bricen Carter, 870-283-2147.Carter's stand is located on Highway 167, next to Buttercup's Restaurant. 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. For the town that boasts the sweetest watermelon in the world, the weather is an important factor each season. Gary recalled one incident where a broker offered his grandfather a few cents less per pound than he desired. Cave City seems in the middle of nowhere. CAVE CITY, AR (KAIT) - It doesn't quite feel like summertime in Sharp County until the Cave City watermelons hit the stands and that happened this past week. Growers Cave City Watermelon Festival . The Cave City Watermelon Festival will take place July 26-28 at the Cave City city park. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000. Regardless, its high summer, and Im ready for a sweet treat. 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