cave city watermelon growers

She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. The couple laughed at the recollection of the memory. The Street family has maintained a controlling interest in the bank since the time of Roe Streets election in 1919. Watermelon growing is not a new thing in Cave City, however. Live musicians such as Luke Stroud, the Farris Family Quartet, Legacy Five, Shane Thornton, and others will perform Thursday and Friday. They carry everything you need for a successful fishing trip on the Spring River. 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. Julie Kohl works from home as a writer and virtual assistant while raising her young son. 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! The park includes the Courthouse which was constructed in 1888 after the original courthouse burned down along with several historic structures. . "I think there were three people on the chamber of commerce that got [the festival] going," said. This is a skillset that has been continually improved upon by the Johnsons since the 1920s. There is no doubt the area has realized the huge growth of the Cave City Watermelon Festival in the last few years. The seeds are started in the greenhouse in March. That's saying somethingsince Johnson and his brother were raised in the watermelon fields as their parents also grew them. And if you are coming from anywhere in Arkansas, it can be a bit of a haul. They bring with them lots of experience. The Watermelon Growers Games begin at 3 p.m. with a free watermelon feast at 4 p.m. Later, the cave was purchased by Dr. G. T. (Dock Tom) Laman. 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. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow. The best way to see the river is through one of the local outfitters such as 3 Rivers Outfitters or Spring River Camp and Canoe. 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). Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups and Tourism, Auto & Motorcycle Sales, Service, Tires & More, Chambers, Schools, Towns, Counties, Groups & Tourism. She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. . Powhatan Historic State Park Powhatan State Park celebrates the once-thriving community of Powhatan from its heyday as a port on the Black River. 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." This free, family friendly event is chocked full of food, entertainment and vendors, not to mention the free, ice cold melons on Saturday. 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. On an extremely hot day, one Julie described as the seventh circle of hell, the couple were working in the field after cultivating the rows spaced ten feet apart with a tractor. About Arkansas Tourism Were ready for everybody to come to Cave City.. Grab a cooler and gas up the tank because we are heading out in search of good eats, unique treasures and scenic vistas. More than 9 million gallons of water flow from it each hour filling a 10-acre lake and flowing into the Spring River. 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. There are several outfitters in the area that will provide gear and shuttle service so you can enjoy a fun day in the cool waters of the Spring River. This will mark the festival's 30th year. The remaining one foot section could only be done with manual labor. Every eating event you need to know about, month by month. This included transplanting. You cant go wrong with anything on the menu, but the onion rings alone are worth the drive. CAVE CITY, Ark. The plants will have established a root ball in about five or six weeks, and are solid enough to be transplanted. 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. Voters again reject proposed Highland School millage increase, Cave City athlete sets school and state indoor track record, Nashville Songwriter with local roots inks new songwriting contract, Arkansas States new Digital Technology and Design Program offers new emphasis areas, West Plains resident reflects on life-saving heart care received at Ozarks Healthcare. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late 60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit. Black Rock Museum Although the museum has no set hours, contact the city to schedule a visit and learn about the history of this small town that sits in the gateway to the Ozarks. His son, Eagle Street, later became president in 1942 and served until 1984. 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. Its the perfect spot to embark on a treasure hunt. They were beautiful hot plants. 2 talking about this. The Festival will happen at the Cave City Park. They orderedplants from a greenhouse. 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 Bank of Cave City was organized in 1906, with James A. Laman as the first president. They were placed nine feet apart then, today, they are only three feet apart. 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. The fun filled event is packed full of live music, great food, old friends, and of course, WATERMELON! For the town that boasts. Jonesboro! Growing watermelons has run in the family for several decades. The cave was both a great asset to the community and a source of mystery. 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. Peck hosts SiriusXMs Y2Kountry and is an accomplished recording artist and performer. 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 Cave City Watermelon Festival gets underway Thursday. & Wendell Perkey Farms 870-283-4395, 870-283-5918.Located 2 miles north of Cave City on Highway 167. Live music begins at 5:45 p.m. with Anna Brinker, followed by Dixon Street and Tracy Byrd. They platted off the town and reportedly gave land to other churches and for the establishment of a school. To contact our registered growers,. Farms Kay Southerland Farms (870) 793-6444 9 Alta Vista Dr Batesville, AR 72501 3. 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 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. Julie loves adventure. Sadly, their father passed away in June before seeing the first of what is now the 46th harvest of his sons melons and the establishment of Johnson Brothers Watermelons. Growers put a registered trademark stick on the watermelons that reads "Genuine Cave City Watermelon". Many exterior shots for the show were filmed in the city and fans may recognize some of the shots. Brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers. 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. Our trip starts out in Cave City, but you can travel north to Mammoth Spring or northeast to Black Rock. 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. Renees Cafe This down-home country restaurant is where you will find the locals hanging out. They proudly stand behind every melon they sell. 2023 Ozark Gateway. We worked our tails off all day, did it in cold ground, poured cold water in it, packed them in. Growers Cave City Watermelon Festival . As a kid, I raised watermelons with my grandpa, Billy Carter. All rights reserved. Phillip said the most labor intensive and important part of the production comes while preparing the soil. "Sometimes they do and they have for as long as I can remember," he said. "Watermelons should be about fun. The festival is Aug. 6-8, and Crystal said it is the biggest event in Sharp County. As one of Chicagos largest summer attractions since its founding in 1980, The Taste consistently draws over 1 million people, though at its peak it has drawn nearly 4 million, all of them there to sample food from a variety of restaurants from across the city. 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. 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 has held the tradition of celebrating the "world's sweetest watermelons" by holding a watermelon festival every summer since 1980. 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. Johnson suggests you could always make the trip to Sharp County to visit one of the grower's own stands as well. Meachams Family Restaurant This restaurant has been around for over 40 years. The Fourth of July Picnic at Cave City was another major attraction, bringing folks from all over the surrounding country. 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. Created with Sketch. While watermelons are at the center of the celebration, the people and businesses that make the Cave City area one of the greatest places in Arkansas are also celebrated. 2023 Ozark Gateway. Arkansas Tourism, a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, strives to expand the economic impact of travel and tourism in the state and enhance the quality of life for all Arkansans. Travelers will also find antique stores and flea markets. Required fields are marked *. Over the years, the Johnsons have overcome any obstacle in their path. History lovers will enjoy driving past these historic homes. Brothers, Gary and Phillip are 3rd generation watermelon growers. From July 29-31, hundreds of people will flock to Cave City to attend the festival for the first time in over a year. Were proud of what we do and we try to put the best that we can out there, Woolridge said. The food is great and the company is even better. "We thought that we were going to be really late. 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