Celebrate The World’s Sweetest Watermelons

Since 1980 we have been coming together to celebrate the "World's Sweetest Watermelons" and reconnect with family and friends.  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.  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!  Come see what all the fuss is about!

Schedule of Events

Thursday - July 27

5:00 PM

Melons for the “Prize Melon” Judging are due at the park.

5:30 PM

Kiddie Parade Through the Park

Decorate those bicycles, tricycles and wagons and parade through the park! Ages 12 and under.

6:00 PM  - UNTIL DARK

Hog Wild Events - Wet Zone, Bounce Houses, and more located in the softball field. 

(Purchase of armbands is required. Cost is $10.)

501 Family Entertainment - GellyBall

$10/700 Rounds

Royale Party Bus - Video Games

6:00 PM

THE BANK OF CAVE CITY MAIN STAGE

Live Music:

Local Talent

7:00 PM

THE BANK OF CAVE CITY MAIN STAGE

Live Music:

First Baptist Church of Cave City Choir

8:00 PM

THE BANK OF CAVE CITY MAIN STAGE

Live Music:

The Farris Family Quartet

Friday - July 28

8:00 AM

Kid’s Fishing Derby - Ages 12 and under

City Park Pond

Wiffle Ball Tournament - Following Fishing Derby

10:30-12:30

FREE Play Bounce Houses, Water Slide and Royale Party Bus Video Games

11:00-1:00

Food Truck Wars

Join us for lunch in the park and help us crown our first ever food truck champ!

1:00-4:00

Live Demonstrations from the Sharp County Extension Service, Independence County Extension Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Ozark Folk Center Craft Guild

6:00 PM  - UNTIL DARK

Hog Wild Events - Wet Zone, Bounce Houses, and more located in the softball field.  

(Purchase of armbands is required. Cost is $10.)

501 Family Entertainment - GellyBall

$10/700 Rounds

Royale Party Bus - Video Games

6:00 PM

THE BANK OF CAVE CITY MAIN STAGE

Live Music: 

Isabella Love

6:30 PM

Cave City Cruizers Drive through Park

7:00 PM

THE BANK OF CAVE CITY MAIN STAGE

Live Music:

Drasco

8:30 PM

THE BANK OF CAVE CITY MAIN STAGE

Live Music:

The Kentucky Head Hunters

Saturday - July 29

7:00 AM

CITY PARK

 Melon Dash 5K 

Click here to register. 

7:00 AM - 10:00 AM

 Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

First Baptist Church  FLEC Building, Tickets $5

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

CAVE CITY PARK

Cave City Cruziers Car Show 

Registration from 9 - 12; Judging at Noon; Awards at 4:00 pm

10:00 AM

Watermelon Parade

There is NO registration.  Please be at the Cave City Middle School at 9 a.m.

11:30AM

MELON STAGE

 Welcome to the Festival!

Jonas Anderson - Mayor of Cave City

12:00 PM

MELON STAGE

Live Entertainment:

12:00 PM  - UNTIL DARK

Hog Wild Events - Wet Zone, Bounce Houses, and more located in the softball field. 

(Purchase of armband is required. Cost is $10.)

501 Family Entertainment - GellyBall

$10/700 Rounds

Royale Party Bus - Video Games

12:00

CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA

Cave City School  - All School Reunion

1:00 PM

IN FRONT OF MELON STAGE

1:00 PM

3:00 PM

IN FRONT OF MELON STAGE

Watermelon Growers Games

4:00 PM

BEHIND MELON STAGE

Free Watermelon Feast

5:00 PM

MAIN STAGE

Prize Melon Auction benefitting St. Jude Hospital

Auctioneer Travis Tate

6:00 PM

THE BANK OF CAVE CITY MAIN STAGE

Live Music:

Kourtlynn Sutton

6:45 PM

THE BANK OF CAVE CITY MAIN STAGE

Live Music:

Cory Jackson

8:30 PM

THE BANK OF CAVE CITY MAIN STAGE

Live Music:

Neal McCoy

Date: July 27-29, 2023

Location: City Park in Cave City 

Click here for more information