cave city watermelon growers

"I think there were three people on the chamber of commerce that got [the festival] going," said. Welcome home! An original postcard of the Crystal River Cave Camp as it appeared in the 1930s. 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. Johnson Brothers Watermelons | Cave City AR Jul 29, 2022Cave City Watermelons, Hunter Bros Melons Hunter Brothers Watermelons- Jonathan and Justin Hunter Main Street in Cave City. Jonesboro! Woods Riverbend Restaurant If you love waterfront dining you are in for a treat at Woods. 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. Blueberry Fields Forever Judsonia, AR, 72081. Phillip went on to explain that in the early days it was hard to sell a watermelon. Only genuine Cave City Watermelons have the registered trademark sticker. Weve all just been working hard since we canceled last year, Johnson said. Gary and Phillips father, Lester, along with seven or eight of his siblings, learned early on how to properly produce a desirable melon. They orderedplants from a greenhouse. Panhandlewatermelon.com - , Xranks. Visit www.ozarkgateway.com for more area information. But this is an issue they deal with and overcome by having loyal customers and some of the sweetest melons in the state. All rights reserved. J.W. Outfitters include Spring River Oaks, Many Islands Camp and Canoe, and Southfork Resort. Copyright 2020 Newsup. Far Out & Funky This fun antique store wears its name well! The Watermelon Growers Games will take place at 3 p.m. at the Orilla Vallie Stage followed by the Free Watermelon Feast at 4 p.m. behind the Orilla Valley Stage. Your email address will not be published. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late 60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit. Watermelons Schedule your trip for mid-July through August and grab a watermelon or two from one of the registered growers. 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. 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). Growers put a registered trademark stick on the watermelons that reads "Genuine Cave City Watermelon". Pickled foods are, of course, the highlight here, but its comedy-focused too, featuring stand-up shows and touring performers throughout the weekend. With pawn items, overstocks and new merchandise, you never know what you will find. Copyright 2018KAIT. 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. & Wendell Perkey Farms 870-283-4395, 870-283-5918.Located 2 miles north of Cave City on Highway 167. Abra Perkey - 870-307-2666 Rustin Wooldridge - 870-283-9914Stand is located at 1424 Hwy. Held each year since 1980, Charles and Anita Landers have spearheaded this celebration of the town and its rich history of producing the world's best watermelons. As soon as the summer sun beams down on the South, families make their way to lakes and rivers to cool off. 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. It wasnt always successful, but with each step, they learned and improved or changed their growing methods. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000. Many exterior shots for the show were filmed in the city and fans may recognize some of the shots. In addition to coffee, you can munch on breakfast and lunch selections as you head through town. Although the town of Cave City is some 150 miles from the Mississippi River, it has been said that the Crystal River rises and falls with the Mississippi River. Cave City Watermelon Festival | Cave City AR Tim Carter: I am a 4th generation watermelon farmer I cannot remember not being around watermelon farming. Also, be sure to grab a piece of carrot cake if its on the menu. The area now known as Cave City was originally situated entirely in Independence County, most of which was in Barren Township. That leaves us with a whole day to explore, and the roads out of Cave City lead to interesting locations. Crystal Bridges 2023 Exhibitions Unveiled, Visiting Poinsett, Cross and Mississippi Counties, Things To Do In Independence and Stone Counties, An Afternoon in Cave City - Only In Arkansas, An Afternoon in Cave City Only In Arkansas Only in Arkansas Ferry St. Up until that point they had only planted seeds directly in the field. 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. The goal was to have the young men take over the operation. Most activities are at the Cave . Currently the Johnsons plant 15 acres each year with 1300 watermelon plants per acre. Real, authentic Cave City melons come from registered growers and have an official sticker on them. Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs current publicity chair. No one has ever been able to show where the river begins or where it eventually ends. They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. There is also a thriving art and music scene. 2023 Ozark Gateway. Visitors can view their work with paddlefish, sturgeon, Gulf Coast Striped Bass, walleye, and smallmouth bass. The festival struck Gold, outshining all the other entries in the Best Video Promotion (Budget under $100,000) division. Lake Charles State Park Lakeside campsites, swimming, hiking and some of the best crappie fishing in the area draw a lot of people to Lake Charles. We got 2000 plants from a hot greenhouse. Growers put a registered trademark stick on the watermelons that reads "Genuine Cave City Watermelon". 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). We did everything wrong we possibly could, Gary said. The Johnson watermelon vine continued to spread, and Phillips parents, Lester and Verba Lee, eventually inherited the seed. Ozark Classic Craft Mall Like many small businesses, the last year has been difficult. Were proud of what we do and we try to put the best that we can out there, Woolridge said. "Sometimes they do and they have for as long as I can remember," he said. 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. Johnson says theyve seen more people at their stand and more people in the city in preparation for melon season and the festival. (Photo from Old Independence Regional Museum, Batesville). So, were hitting the road searching for an official Cave City watermelon and checking out some other sites along the way. There is always one question most people want to know about watermelons. Check out the photo gallery and tell us that doesnt look like a great time. The boys did as any good sons would and began to take on the responsibilities of the farm. Now, in its 43rd year, the watermelon festival is the largest festival in the region and has been voted as one of Arkansas' best festivals. "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. 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. Perkey Farms is a family owned and operating watermelon farm. They carry everything you need for a successful fishing trip on the Spring River. | Privacy Policy This site is paid for with a combination of state funds and private regional association funds. To contact our registered growers, check:. Source:http://www.kait8.com/story/38582549/cave-city-watermelon-growers-warn-against-knockoffs, Cave City watermelon growers warn against knockoffs, Students map out early Arkansas explorer's path, Procedures for Commercial/Industrial Construction. Laman Bros. General Store (Photo from the Gary Perkey collection.). The Hunter Brothers are located in Cave City. 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. Roadside stands are found throughout the city. Usually the Cave City Watermelon Festival is held the week after the Hope Watermelon Festival, but this year they were held concurrently. The festival is Aug. 6-8, and Crystal said it is the biggest event in Sharp County. The World's Sweetest Watermelons. In the early 1890s, what was apparently the second church established in town was the Methodist Episcopal (or North Methodist) Church. 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. I could try to tell you how cool it is but you just have to see it for yourself! Town and family lore have it that the post office was secretly spirited out of Loyal and rolled on logs to Cave City after the presidential election of 1892 placed more friendly Democrats in charge of the postal department! The Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. A cross-section of the Crookneck heirloom watermelon, an indigenous watermelon whose seeds were recovered from an abandoned cave in Arizona. One of the main draws to Hardy is the Spring River and its a must if you enjoy floating. In those days, an average grower planted about 30 acres. CAVE CITY, Ark. 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 Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. In 2017, the Cave City Watermelon Festival was inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame by the . First Security Bank, Member FDIC. After the plant sets the melon, or blooms, it is ready to harvest in 30-35 days. Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. http://www.kait8.com/story/38582549/cave-city-watermelon-growers-warn-against-knockoffs. 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. Below is a list of the fun, unique food festivals and eating opportunities taking place in July 2023. This changed the way the Johnsons produced their melons for the first time in history. 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. Pioneer Lane Greenhouse Fill up your garden with beautiful plants and trees from the Pioneer Lane Greenhouse. You cant go wrong with anything on their menu but be sure to order a Cinnamon Roll Iced Coffee! The Cave City Watermelon Festival slated for July 29 through 31 is quickly approaching. Locals and watermelon farmers all agree the festival has seen a lot of changes over the years. "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?'". From July 27-29 i n Cave City, Arkansas, you'll 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. The Cave City Watermelon Festival is, in many ways, the perfect summer celebration. Woodies Main Street Cafe This classic American restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday. 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. Try the sloppy joe and you wont be disappointed! Its part of The Takeouts 2023 Eats Calendar, a rundown of the years best events. . Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs current publicity chair. 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