The 45th annual Cave City Watermelon Festival wrapped up this weekend in unforgettable fashion, marking a powerful celebration of Arkansas’s sweetest tradition. Despite a challenging year—most notably the devastating tornado in early spring—the spirit of “Caveman Strong” united the community, bringing Cave City together for one of its most successful festivals yet.
Festival Director Amy Finster shared, “We’re exhausted, but it was absolutely worth it. This was one of the best Watermelon Festivals we’ve ever had. So get ready—the 46th is going to be even better!”
Cave City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brandi Schulz also highlighted the strength of the local business community. “I want to thank all our businesses for really stepping up and participating in this year’s festival—especially with our Window Wars and the Watermelon Crawl. It was amazing to see the town so engaged.”
Mayor Jonas Anderson expressed deep gratitude for the people of Cave City and beyond.
“Things have been different since the tornado disaster back in March. But our community rallied. People from right here in Little Cave City, across Arkansas, and even from out of state came together. That unity made all the difference,” he said.
“The Mellon Growers and Festival Committee went above and beyond this year. Proceeds from the annual Mellon Auction were donated directly to local food pantries and nonprofits—organizations that have become lifelines for many families, especially with no grocery store currently in town. Families are driving 20 to 30 minutes just to buy basic necessities. The support we’ve received has been incredible, and we’re so thankful. Thanks to the hard work of so many, it was another great festival—we can’t wait to welcome everyone back in 2026.”
Thousands poured into Cave City throughout the weekend for live music, watermelon-eating contests, and family-friendly fun. From the beloved pancake breakfast to the Watermelon Crawl and a show-stopping performance by headliner Diamond Rio, the festival drew record-breaking crowds filled with hometown pride.
ArkansasRadio.com was proud to partner with this year’s festival, helping to promote events through news coverage, interviews, and real-time updates.
The 45th Cave City Watermelon Festival was more than a celebration of summertime and sweet melons—it was a testament to community, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of Cave City.
Check out the Blasts from the Past Years of the Watermelon Festival!
