CAVE CITY, Ark. — The Cave City Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to introduce two new initiatives designed to help visitors experience everything Cave City has to offer during the 2026 Cave City Watermelon Festival—and long after the festival ends.
On Friday, July 24, festivalgoers are invited to hop aboard The Sweetest Shuttle, a free vintage trolley experience that makes it easy to shop, dine, and explore throughout Cave City without moving their vehicle.
Visitors can park once and enjoy convenient transportation to boutiques, restaurants, antique stores, specialty shops, watermelon stands, Window Wars displays, and many of the unique destinations that make Cave City special.
“The Sweetest Shuttle is about encouraging people to discover more of our community,” said Brandi Schulz, Executive Director of the Cave City Area Chamber of Commerce. “We know many festival visitors never make it beyond the festival grounds. By making transportation simple and convenient, we’re inviting them to explore our local businesses, spend more time in town, and experience everything Cave City has to offer.”
The Chamber is also proud to unveil its brand-new Cave City Visitor Map.
Designed specifically with tourists in mind, the full-color map highlights shopping, dining, area attractions, lodging, parks, historic sites, and other points of interest throughout the community. The easy-to-read layout helps visitors confidently navigate Cave City while encouraging them to discover businesses and attractions they may have otherwise missed.
The Chamber plans for the map to become a long-term community resource. Following its debut during the Watermelon Festival, complimentary copies will be available year-round at participating restaurants, retailers, attractions, visitor accommodations, and other locations throughout Cave City and the surrounding region.
“This is a project we’ve been excited to bring to life,” Schulz said. “Having a professionally designed visitor map is something many destination communities offer, and we’re proud to now provide that same resource for our visitors and residents. It’s another way we’re investing in our local businesses while creating a better visitor experience.”
The launch of The Sweetest Shuttle and the new visitor map reflects the Chamber’s continued commitment to promoting local businesses, encouraging tourism, and strengthening Cave City’s growing reputation as a destination.
The Sweetest Shuttle operates Friday, July 24, during the Cave City Watermelon Festival. The service is free thanks to the generous support of Bank of Cave City and First Community Bank.
This new service complements the free festival shuttle provided by the Cave City Watermelon Festival, which transports visitors between festival parking areas and the festival grounds throughout the event.
By connecting festivalgoers with local businesses and attractions, the Chamber hopes The Sweetest Shuttle will become a lasting tradition that continues to grow alongside the Cave City Watermelon Festival.
Visitors are encouraged to grab a map, hop aboard the shuttle, and discover the shopping, dining, attractions, hidden gems, and the “World’s Sweetest Watermelons” that have made Cave City a beloved Arkansas tradition.
