It’s almost time to celebrate the 43rd Annual Cave City Watermelon Festival set for July 27 through 29in Cave City.
The festival kicks off at 5 p.m. July 27 as melons for the Prize Melon are judged at 5 p.m., followed by the first ever kiddie parade through the park.
The parade, for children ages 12 and under welcomes children to decorate their bicycles, tricycles and wagons and join in the fun at 5:30 p.m.
From 6 p.m. until dark, the wet zone, bounces and more will be open on the softball field. 501 Family Entertainment will also be set up as will Royale Party Bus video games.
Live music kicks off on the Bank of Cave City Main Stage featuring local talents Michael Collins, Jeremy Johnson, Will Jones, Craig Estes andCarolina Mendoza.
From 7 p.m., until 8 p.m., music will be provided by the First Baptist Church of Cave City followed by the Farris Family Quartet at 8 p.m.
On July 28, beginning at 8 a.m., the Kid’s Fishing Derby for children ages 12 and under will begin at the City Park Pond. A Willffle Ball Tournament will follow the fishing derby.
Free play bounce houses, water slide and Royale Party Bus Video Games will be held from 10:30 until 12:30, followed by Food Truck Wars in the park from 11 a.m. until 1 -.m.
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., live demonstrations from the Sharp County Extension Service, Independence County Extension Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Ozark Folk Center Craft Guild will take place.
Again from 6 p.m. until dark the wet zone, bounce houses and other activities as well as 501 Family Entertainment will be open on the softball field.
Isabella Love will perform on the Bank of Cave City Main Stage beginning at 6 p.m. followed by Drasco at 7 p.m. and the Kentucky Headhunters at 8:30 p.m.
The Cave City Cruizers Drive though the Park will kick off at 6:45.
The third and final day of the festival will be held July 29 and start with a little cardio as the Melon Dash 5k beings at 7 a.m.
The Cave City Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast will be held from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church FLEC Building, tickets are $5 a plate.
The Cave City Cruizers Car Show will take place at the Cave City Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with registration from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and judging at noon; awards will be held at 4 p.m.
The Watermelon Parade begins at 10 a.m. with a lineup at 9 a.m. at the Cave City Middle School. No registration is required.
Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson will welcome the community to the festival at 11:30 a.m. on the Melon Stage and beginning at 12 noon, the Fur-Tastic K9’s will perform in front of the Melon Stage.
From 12 noon until dark, all activities will be open on the softball fields and the Cave City All School Reunion will also open at the Cave City Middle School Cafeteria.
The Fur-Tastic K9’s Dog Show will take place at 1 p.m. in front of the Melon Stage followed by the Watermelon Growers Games at 3 p.m.
The Free Watermelon Feast starts at 4 p.m. behind the Melon Stage, followed by the Prize Melon Auction benefitting St. Jude’s Hospital at 5 p.m. on the Main Stage.
Musical entertainment begins at 6 p.m. on the Bank of Cave City Main Stage with Kourtlynn Sutton at 6 p.m., Cory Jackson at 6:45 and country music star Neal McCoy will finish out the evening when he takes the stage at 8:30 p.m.
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
