CAVE CITY, Ark. — The sweet tradition returns to Cave City from July 24–26, 2025, as the 45th Annual Watermelon Festival kicks off three days of free concerts, contests, parades, and—of course—ice-cold slices of the world’s sweetest watermelon. What started in 1980 as a local parade celebrating area growers has blossomed into one of Arkansas’s most cherished summer events, drawing thousands of visitors each year.
The festival continues to honor Cave City’s deep agricultural roots, highlighting its watermelon growers and celebrating the values of family, faith, hard work, and small-town pride. Guests of all ages will find something to enjoy, from live music and contests to vendor markets and children’s events—all with no admission fee.
Festival Schedule Highlights
This year’s event opens Thursday evening with food vendors, a fishing derby, food truck competitions, and live entertainment. A main stage concert will headline Thursday night.
Friday brings the Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby, watermelon judging, and “The Sweetest Voice” talent competition, followed by another evening concert.
Saturday begins early with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast and Melon Dash 5K. The annual parade—led by Grand Marshal Charles Landers—kicks off at 10 a.m., followed by a dog show, car show, and the always-popular watermelon seed-spitting and speed-eating contests. A free watermelon feast is scheduled for 4 p.m., with a final concert closing out the festival Saturday night.
Craft vendors, food trucks, children’s games, and local entertainment will be available throughout all three days at Cave City Park.
Local Growers at the Heart
The star of the festival—Cave City’s famously sweet watermelon—will be sold at stands throughout town by local growers. Participating farms include Tim Carter Watermelons, Brockway & Ives Farms, Johnson Brothers, Perkey & Wooldridge Farms, Patterson Brothers, Kevin Moore Farms, Hunter Brothers, and H & H Watermelons. Many of these are family-run farms with decades of growing experience, each offering their own unique variety of watermelon cultivated in the rich soil of the region.
Sponsors Keeping It Fresh
The Cave City Watermelon Festival is made possible through the generous support of many local and regional sponsors. These include Ag Heritage – Farm Credit Services, Atlas Asphalt, AT&T, Doublebee’s, Comfort Suites (Batesville), Citizens Bank, FNBC Bank, First Community Bank, FutureFuel Chemical Company, LaCroix Optical, Ozarka College, Pepsi, Peco Foods, Sonic of Cave City, Town & Country, and White River Health, along with many other community-minded businesses and individuals. The event also receives support from the City of Cave City and the Batesville Advertising & Promotion Commission.
Explore Nearby Attractions
Visitors can turn their trip into a weekend getaway by exploring nearby attractions such as Mountain View, Batesville’s Main Street, Hardy, Cherokee Village, and Mammoth Spring State Park. These scenic locations offer historic charm, nature, music, and more to round out a summer adventure.
Festival Contacts and Info
All events take place at Cave City Park and are free to attend. For vendor or parade inquiries, contact:
- Food Vendors: Andrea – 870-283-2840
- Craft Booths: Ashton – ashton.ccwf@gmail.com
- Commercial Vendors/Sponsorship: Amy – watermelonfestival@cavecity.us or 870-283-2892
- Parade Info: Rob – 870-283-1926
- Volunteers: Tara – 870-283-1310
- Entertainment: Tyler Parsley – 870-283-4877
A Sweet Summer Tradition
With its combination of rural charm, exciting events, and famously sweet watermelon, the Cave City Watermelon Festival is one of Arkansas’s must-attend summer events. Whether you’re a lifelong local or a first-time visitor, there’s no better place to enjoy community spirit and cool refreshment than right here in the Watermelon Capital of the World.
Mark your calendars for July 24–26 and experience Cave City’s juiciest tradition.
