It is not just a piece of fruit, its more than that, its a memory. He said that is why they try so hard to ensure their melons come off at the perfect time. Historic Downtown Hardy Loaded with unique shops and restaurants, downtown Hardy is a postcard community nestled along the Spring River. 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. Its likely festival goers will hear him play Watermelon Crawl, a fitting song to help celebrate this Cave City festival. Johnson says theyve seen more people at their stand and more people in the city in preparation for melon season and the festival. Saturday kicks off with the Melon Dash 5K at 7 a.m. at the city park and a Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at First Baptist Church. I decided to carry on the tradition and raised my first solo melon crop the next spring. Through the years, they have learned which planting techniques provide the best yield. 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. "Grew better than I've probably ever seen watermelons grow.". We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Regardless, its high summer, and Im ready for a sweet treat. YP - The Real Yellow PagesSM - helps you find the right local businesses to meet your specific needs. GREEN RIVER, UTAH - The tiny town of Green River (population 929) may not be big, but it is home to the "World's Largest Watermelon." Also, be sure to grab a piece of carrot cake if its on the menu. Later, the cave was purchased by Dr. G. T. (Dock Tom) Laman. 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 . 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. Besides producing quality melons, Julie said the trademark sticker for registered users that brands the melons has helped bring customers to their stand. Its the perfect country supply store. That is what is so amazing, the last few years, people come to us and we dont take that for granted.. 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. You cant go wrong with anything on their menu but be sure to order a Cinnamon Roll Iced Coffee! 5 . 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 . Perkey Farms is a family owned and operating watermelon farm. Watermelon Growers Games - In front of Melon stage. Historic Places There are seven properties on the National Register of Historic Places located in Evening Shade. 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. 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. SHARP COUNTY'S WIDEST CIRCULATED AND ONLY LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER. Ozark Classic Craft Mall Like many small businesses, the last year has been difficult. Family LP Farms (870) 368-7495 Jonesboro! . Cave City also has multiple banks, medical offices and pharmacy, a grocery store, several convenience stores government offices and Cave City Nursing Home. On her blog, Seek Adventures, Julie shares about the outdoor and travel adventures of her family as they camp and standup paddleboard across the South. BREAKING: Student arrested for crime involving explosives, Growers prepare for Cave City Watermelon Festival, Trip to Mr. Ts pays off for lucky lottery winner, Jonesboro police investigating 2 reported shootings, Plans for new Sikeston fire station moving forward, Buddhist monks to create mandala sand painting at Lyon College. The melon farm is on Cold Creek Road. The merchandise changes regularly, but if you check in often, you can find your favorite products at deep discounts. Another interesting mention of the picnic in 1902 related that The rents for swings and lemonade stands will be used toward buying a wind mill to draw the water from the cave. [An article from theRecorddated July of 1928 states that the town had been celebrating the Fourth of July each summer for 35 years, which would have put the tradition starting as far back as 1893.] And if you are coming from anywhere in Arkansas, it can be a bit of a haul. The memorial is being built near the city hall, under the big welcome sign. This meant a garden hoe. 2023 Ozark Gateway. Your email address will not be published. YP advertisers receive higher placement in the default ordering of search results and may appear in sponsored listings on the top, side, or bottom of the search results page. To contact our registered growers,. Digital Marketing and Design - The Richland Group. 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. Try the sloppy joe and you wont be disappointed! From July 29-31, hundreds of people will flock to Cave City to attend the festival for the first time in. 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. 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. 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 rich, sandy soil that is exclusive to the area is what gives the melons such asweet flavor. Over the years, the Johnsons have overcome any obstacle in their path. In 2017, the Cave City Watermelon Festival was inducted into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame by the . 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. Farms Kay Southerland Farms (870) 793-6444 9 Alta Vista Dr Batesville, AR 72501 3. Ruthel Laman Heasley, a granddaughter of Jim Laman, stated that her grandfather and his brother were determined to create a new town when they moved their families there in 1889. It also led the brothers to not be as scared to try new things. Cave City growers just want you to know, it's important to look for the sticker. They bring with them lots of experience. Perkey Farms-JW & Wendell Perkey | Cave City AR The town celebration of the Fourth of July continued for many years, but fell out of favor in the last few decades. Years of hard work, dedication, innovation and building a brand has put them at the top of the crop in Cave City watermelon production for nearly a half century. The town of Cave City was incorporated in April 1907 with a Mayor-Council form of government. The prize melon auction is at 5 p.m. and benefits Arkansas Children's Hospital. The prize melon auction is at 5 p.m. and benefits Arkansas Children's Hospital. (Photo from Old Independence Regional Museum, Batesville). This and resellers marking the melons up to make so large of profit that the cost of their fruit is much higher than the Johnsons melons at their stand. 167. Phillip said before harvesting, they first thump, pat, roll and then finally cut them off the plant. Julie explained You want that melon to sound hollow. Maybe you can show them how to tie a cherry stem with ones tongue? Kevin Moore Farms, 870-283-2043.Moore's stand is located on the north end of Cave City. The continual hot weather has now put them about one week ahead of schedule in opening the stands. For the town that boasts. John S. Gibson began hosting a competition for the largest melons in 1916. Most actually want to know how to select the best and sweetest melon. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. 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. Up until that point they had only planted seeds directly in the field. She leaned back on her hoe and looked back at me. 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. . In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. 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! Photo courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. 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. Usually the Cave City Watermelon Festival is held the week after the Hope Watermelon Festival, but this year they were held concurrently. In 2015 they "retired", and a new committee of volunteers have since taken the festival to even greater success, with expanded entertainment, activities for the entire family, and record-setting crowds; from the beginning to now it's always been about celebrating the town and its rich history of producing the worlds best watermelons. In those days, there were no festival, growers association, or even a sticker brand to market the melons. The couple laughed at the recollection of the memory. The goal was to have the young men take over the operation. With pawn items, overstocks and new merchandise, you never know what you will find. To return to the calendar and check out other months, click here. But the town began a steady decline when it was bypassed by the railroad in the late 1800s. 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. Evening Shade Farmers Market Stock up on some locally grown fruits, veggies and handmade goods at the farmers market held every Saturday morning. Soon to be release is her third studio album, How Freedom Feels. No stranger to country fans, shes enjoyed chart success with the songs I Dont, Findin A Good Man and Isnt That Everything. Peck has cultivated a loyal fan base on the road, performing hundreds of shows both as a headliner and in support of country musics biggest names. A cherry stem with ones tongue items, overstocks and new merchandise, you never know what you will.... Hardy cave city watermelon growers with unique shops and restaurants, Downtown Hardy is a postcard community nestled along the Spring River growers... 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