He arrived amid a literal explosion of Texas country artists. All Rights Reserved. And then in college, the songs came. In the town of Luling, "spitting game," takes on a whole other meaning. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The Watermelon Thump (the festival) started back in 1954 as a small local event. If youll be in town as part of a larger Texas road trip, make sure to also stop at the LulingBuc-ees for snackson your way in or out of town! Here are the best things to do at the Luling Watermelon Thump, plus tips for visiting! Tons of great Christmas gift-giving ideas. It's a fun day for everyone! The record of 65 feet, four inches was made by John Wilkinson, a festival attendee from Houston, Texas. Winners take home thousands of dollars in prize money, but pride is also an important factor since it is such an important part of town history and lore. Legends are made. Lockhart State Park. It's a good place to live," said 2018 Thump Queen, Kendal Gibson. Exhibitors bring in the largest watermelons youve ever seen. When it first started, there was a contest to help to name the event. You definitely won't want to miss the seed-spitting contest. 2021 Watermelon Thump Parade! If you have more time to enjoy downtown Luling, check out my guide towhat to do in Lulingand my review of Lulings famousOriginal City Market BBQ! Previous winners qualify to compete, but everyone else is drawn from a lottery. Find some recipes that include watermelon. The event is named after the thump However, it was not during competition time, so it didn't count. If youve ever really wanted to go home with your own prize watermelon (one that you didnt have to grow yourself) then step right up. Host a watermelon-themed party with your own watermelon seed-spitting contest. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Bowen soon claimed his place as West 84s front man, then went solo and found a home in now-iconic haunts like Stubbs Barbecue and The Blue Light. "I like the small town environment really. Luling, Texas, is the place to be this It's that kind of hospitality that Watts said he hopes visitors get to experience this weekend when they come in for the festival. It is now such a drawcard that about 30,000 people flock to Luling each year for it. 50, Mardela Springs, Maryland 21837. There are lots of souvenirs and goods from Cowboy Hats to Christmas Ornaments to buy at the Vendor Expo, plus lots of watermelons around to purchase. General Admission is $6.00, First Call Shopping Tickets are $10.00, parking is free. See prices and reviews. 2021 Watermelon Thump. Ever since the Thump has been held annually on the last Thursday through Sunday in June. The 18-year-old just graduated from Luling High School and has plans to attend Blinn College in Bryan to work toward becoming a dental hygienist. The easiest way to get to Luling is to drive, which is pretty much the easiest way to get anywhere in Texas thats not in a big city. The Luling Watermelon Thump is a four-day celebration of all things watermelon plus great small town festival fun like a carnival and live music. Hermon Allen, principal of the Luling Elementary School, proposed the idea of a celebration. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. The biggest melon to win was in 2016, weighing in at 106 pounds. 4. November 6, 2022; The Luling Watermelon Thump is a four-day celebration of all things watermelon plus great small town festival fun like a carnival and live music. Finally, there are restrooms available and other important public amenities. 2022 Election Guide; Entertainment. Originating in Texas, it involves a four-day festival celebrating all things watermelon, crowned by the very famous watermelon seed spitting contests in many parts of the country. Note that not every event takes place every day (the festival is spread out over four days, after all), so check the schedule for the date of any events you are particularly interested in. You thump (or flick) the rind with your finger and listen. Join us on March 10th-12th at the Ft. Bend County Fairgrounds for a fun weekend of shopping with handmade crafts, home decor, jewelry, holiday accessories, children's gifts, clothing boutiques & more! Gaze at the pink Cadillacs, flashy sports cars, and antique automobiles. But Ive always said Im not a Texas artist, Im an artist from Texas, and I think theres a difference.. The sound should be hollow, round, and deep. To learn more, visit The Watermelon Thump's. Luling is a small town situated at the intersection of several important Texas highways. Stephanie is a born-and-bred Oklahoma mom and travel expert who has been to over fifty countries. It should come as no surprise that an event cooked up by an elementary school principal has a place for future watermelon growers to toss their hat into the ring. The Guinness Book of World Records reported the largest watermelon ever grown to be 262 pounds. LULING, Texas - Since 1954, Luling has been celebrating the town's watermelon market and honoring growers through its annual Watermelon Thump. You will need tokens and tickets for some of the drinks and events. Click on Notify Me to get the following benefits: A secured spot once registration opens (for at least 7 days after registration opens) The opportunity to register for the If youre looking for something a little nicer, the three-starLa Quinta by Wyndham Lulingincludes amenities like a swimming pool, fitness center, and continental breakfast. Sweet, juicy watermelons are the highlight of this Texas tradition that also features a lively carnival, more than a dozen local food booths and tons of live music entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Luling Alligator Festival. One Perfect Day in Waterton Lakes National Park: Itinerary & Travel Tips. 4 Video Editing Tips for Better Social Media Content, 4 Interesting Facts About Cell Phone Tracking, De Volksbank to Get Apple Pay Support Soon, Slash $9 Off the Official MagSafe Charger, Pop the Bubbly for This Classic Black and White Winter Wedding, An Intimate Ceremony That Celebrates Love and Family, This Glamorous Black Tie Wedding Has Us Swooning, The Catering Totally Made this Boho Brunch Wedding Great, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FYAtFAr8rI. The heart of the festival is the corner of Pearl Street and McGregor Street. If youve ever wanted to see people attempt to break world records by spitting watermelon seeds out of their mouths, then dont miss this event! WebIn 1870 the first Missouri-Kansas-Texas train rolled into a new town in southeast Kansas, that would become Parsons, and the railroad would be remembered as the Katy! WebA Festival organized by Luling Watermelon Thump Association. No good carnival is complete without excellent food booths, and the Watermelon Thump will not disappoint you! Contact Us now to get started. The Guinness World Record was set at this event way back in 1989. When she's not writing about all of the amazing places throughout the U.S., she can be heard singing with her band. Wednesday, Feb 1, 2023 from 10:00am to 11:00am. But here we embrace it and we try to get as many people to come out and spit as much as possible," said Dayton Gonzales, Watermelon Thump Director who is also in charge of the seed spitting. First celebrated in 1937, the Stockdale Watermelon Jubilee is one of the oldest watermelon festivals in Texas. Walker County Fair Grounds Huntsville, Texas. Particularly in large industrial, warehouse and retail facilities, this is of great importance. Join us for the annual Alligator Festival in St. Charles Parish, every last full weekend of September The Charming Out Of The Way Flea Market Near Austin You Wont Soon Forget, Everyone In Austin Should Visit This Epic Flea Market At Least Once, This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Austin Like Youve Never Seen It Before, This Space-Themed Indoor Playground In Austin Is Perfect For Summertime Fun, The Coziest Town Near Austin Will Make Your Season Merry And Bright, The Water Lantern Festival In Austin Thats A Night Of Pure Magic, You Wont Want to Miss The Biggest Book Festival in Texas, This Massive Outdoor Street Festival Is One Of Austins Most Exciting Traditions. rushspringswatermelonfestival/Facebook. If youre met with a deep, hollow sound, youve found a ripe melon. 2021 Watermelon Thump Parade! Otherwise, come to cheer on the contestants. They also have Kindle editions available. Grab your girlfriends, mom, or daughter, and come enjoy the fun! The World Championship WatermelonSeed Spitting Contest is held here in the designated Luling Watermelon Thump Spitway.. The Thump has gained fame in previous years by gifting their champion melons to celebrities, the likes of Johnny Carson and even President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Join us at our 15th Annual Spring Market at the Katy Merrell Center for a fun weekend of shopping with handmade crafts, home decor, jewelry, holiday accessories, children's gifts, clothing boutiques & more! Gonzales said the record spit was in 1989 at 68 feet and 9 and 1/8 inches. There are multiple places for live music, and your entrance ticket includes some of the performances while others are open to the public for free and some need separate tickets. Join us at our Spring Market to shop with handmade crafts, home decor, jewelry, holiday accessories, children's gifts, clothing boutiques & so much more! Watermelon Thump Festival - Luling, TX - AARP Schedule: 10:00 a.m: Thump Parade12:30 p.m: Melon Eating Contest12:00 p.m - 2:30 p.m: Music in If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. The Luling hotel with the best reviews, theBest Western Plus Longhorn Inn & Suitesis a three-star hotel featuring updated TVs, free wifi, an outdoor pool, and a modern fitness center. To get to Luling from Corpus Christi, take US-183 North the entire route. Owner since November 24, 2022; 6 days ago. Another easy drive that takes less than an hour, to get to Luling from San Antion take I-10 East to Luling. . We will be very happy to hear from you. I will carry that flag proudly, Bowen says of his well earned Red-Dirt distinction. WebEverfest's Take The only melon thats bigger than the one between your shoulders can be found in Luling, Texas. Robinson Pavilion, Home For the Holidays Christmas Gift Market - Katy, Fort Bend County Fairgrounds | Building B, C, D & Clubroom, Home For the Holidays Gift Market - Humble, Forty-First Christmas Arts and Crafts Show, Event promoter has not updated for this year, last year's event was October 8, 2022, Event promoter has not updated for this year, last year's event was November 19, 2022. homefortheholidaysgiftmarket.com/spring-.. vintagemarketdays.com/market/greater-san.. See prices and reviews. You can see Luling as a day trip from any of these, or you can come and stay here overnight. Celebrate summer at the Pageland Watermelon Festival July 15th and 16th, 2022, in Pageland, South Carolina, just an hours drive from Charlotte. This drive is also two-and-a-half hours. This trip to Luling from Houston takes about two and a half hours, so its definitely a long day trip to undertake. Its also another opportunity to see the Watermelon Thump Queen in action. WebSince 1954, Luling has hosted the annual event which has turned into a four-day festival with live entertainment, carnival, car show, and more. The local elementary school principal, Hermon Allen, is credited with the idea of having an event to celebrate the local watermelon growers, who play an important role in the economy and success of the town. Elisa is a passionate travel writer with over five years of experience. Getting coverage is important whenever youre more than a hundred miles from home in case of an accident, sickness, theft, etc. We ate our souvenir watermelon a few days after getting home and it was the perfect sweet reminder of our time at the Thump! Ranks. Vintage Market Days is so much more than a flea market, it's an experience and we love bringing the vintage experience to you! Find us on Facebook at Chamber of Commerce of Ladonia or search 20 Mile Garage Sale and Market on the Square. Dont buy a watermelon without listening to it first! Like his award-winning fruit, Watts is home-grown. Support small businesses this holiday season at Autumn Acres Gift Market. Expired on February 19, 2023: 21 years old. If youre looking for more ways to celebrate, check out these 8 small-town festivals near Austin. And he doesnt have a major record deal? "You can come back the next morning, you might have a basket of tomatoes gone, but you'll have $3 stuck under the other basket.". Another easy drive that takes less than an hour, to get to Luling from San Antion take I-10 East to Luling. We make buying and selling tickets easier and cheaper for any sized event. Enter and find out! Downtown Luling, The late Hermon Allen, former principal of the Luling Elementary School started the watermelon four-day festival. We can get into the team spirit and encourage the entrants. Take US 183 south all the way to Luling from Austin. Winners take home thousands of dollars in prize money, but pride is also an important factor since it is such an important part of town history and lore. If you love classic cars, dont skip out on the car show! And while the hard-touring troubadour is constantly breaking new ground, his course was set early on. A giant can of fruit cocktail is all that remains of what was once the world's largest cannery. Unlike most festivals where royalty winners are decided by a pageant, the Luling Watermelon You cant really be taught, you just have to have that instinct.. You can check the schedule for the year onWatermelonThump.com. The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are starting to turn, and holiday shopping is underway! I can do this now? I literally went home and found some buddies, and we started jamming.. marketplace | privacypolicy | contactus, Vintage Market Days of Greater San Antonio - Spring, 20 Mile Garage Sale & Market on the Square, Market at Ladonia town square (garage sales are at local residences), Historic Downtown District - Heritage Square, Commerce Street from Austin Street to Bolton Street, Gerald D. Young Facility | L.D. var hostname = "FestivalNet.com"; 68th annual Luling Watermelon Thump festival to be held this weekend Events include live music, seed-spitting contests, a parade, an auction, a car show and, Email: bucklershows@yahoo.com . You might want to bring your own hand sanitizer, just in case! The event is named after the thump one gives a watermelon to determine if its ready to eat. Find the Perfect Watermelon to Take Home! FOX 7 Austin's Tierra Neubaum gets details. Our low convenience fees allow you to sell more tickets. During the last weekend in June, folks flock to Luling and enjoy decadent desserts, live music, and flashy parades. An amateur historian and travel enthusiast, I travel around the world full-time visiting historic sites: hidden chapels, Communist monuments, ancient cities, religious relics, national parks, or any place that is beautiful, interesting, or weird. The watermelon festival began in 1954 making it 68 years old in 2022. Seen as one of the genres finest and most authentic modern voices, Bowens approach stays rooted in tradition, but also stands on the creative cutting edge. The Watermelon Thump is a four day fun filled festival full of music, watermelon eating, watermelon seed spitting, dancing, food, drink and good times. His mother loved Elvis, the Eagles and Creedence Clearwater Revival, while his father spun Texan giants like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! For over 65 years, this place has hosted the Luling Watermelon Thump. Whether you bring a point-and-shoot like my Sony ZV-1 or rely on your cell phone like my iPhone 12 Pro, make sure you have at least one camera (though I always travel with two)! The possibilities here are endless! The Watermelon Thump is a four day fun filled festival full of music, watermelon eating, watermelon seed spitting, dancing, food, drink and good times. Email: ringwoodfairboard@hotmail.com . The prize? See. Congratulations to Miss Valerie Bermudez! To find a ripe watermelon, pick it up and hold it in your arms like a baby but slightly away from your body so that your core doesnt absorb the sound or change the result. I thought the way to be an artist was to graduate college, then move to Nashville to wait tables and wait my turn in line, Bowen explains. Love Austin? Grab your girlfriends, mom, or daughter, and come enjoy the fun, while shopping and supporting some of the cutest shops at Hollydays Market of New Braunfels! In that same year, Lee Wheelis a local from Luling, broke this record, by spitting a distance of 68 feet, nine and one-eighth inches. Carson Jeffrey. WebThe watermelon festival began in 1954 making it 68 years old in 2022. WebPRICING. "Number one: it takes good soil, good sandy soil, then a small amount of fertilizer, a lot of work and just taking care of the vines," Watts said. The event is named after the thump one gives a watermelon to determine if its ready to eat. Watermelons are loaded with nutrients and the seeds are rich in magnesium. "When you were little you were told, 'don't spit, don't spit, it's gross! Its how you test a watermelon for ripeness. Why is a Metal Detector a Great Christmas Gift Idea? Performances take place on the Main Stage in the Beer Garden as well as other spots throughout the weekend. Christmas Tree Farms; Christmas and New Year's Events; Ice Skating Rinks; Ski & Snowboard Resorts; Christmas Eve & Day Mass Schedules; Luling Featured Events. If youve ever wanted to see people attempt to break world records by spitting watermelon seeds out of their mouths, then dont miss this event! The 7 Most Beautiful West Coast Lighthouses & How to Visit Them! Our high level of customer service allows you to focus on your business rather than posting events and managing ticketing. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Browse the list of upcoming concerts, and if you cant find your favourite artist, track them and let Songkick tell you when they are next in your area. President Ronald Reagan receives the Thump champion watermelon. The Watermelon Thump is a four day fun filled festival full of music, watermelon eating, watermelon seed spitting, dancing, food, drink and good times. Go to WatermelonThump.com for more information. This portion of the festival is always a hit. Watermelon auctions are held during Watermelon Seed Spitting Week to support local growers. Grab your girlfriends, mom, or daughter, and come enjoy the fun, while shopping and supporting some of the cutest shops at Home for the Holidays Gift Market of Waco! //-->, Copyright FestivalNet 2022. Three days of fun, holiday shopping is underway! There are multiple places for live music, and your entrance ticket includes some of the performances while others are open to the public for free and some need separate tickets. They were loaded on trains years ago and then it went to trucks. Festivals are always fun and the Watermelon Thump Festival is a great way to celebrate the event. There are lots of souvenirs and goods from Cowboy Hats to Christmas Ornaments to buy at the Vendor Expo, plus lots of watermelons around to purchase. Covering all seven continents, our new book serves up a loaded plate of incredible ingredients, food adventures, and edible wonders. Last years winner went for $6,000! After living in Eastern Europe for four years, she has moved with her family back to Oklahoma to write about her favorite places growing up: Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, & Route 66! Vendor product must be at least 80% crafted or vintage. There are also services here including the ability to pay for laundry if youre on a long journey. This is a quick trip that comes in under an hour. No DS or MLM. Always the third weekend in June, the Jubilee His roots are deep in Luling. It has since closed. There are overflowing summertime stands, watermelon-themed murals, an annual festival, and there was once an entire store devoted to watermelon paraphernalia (its since closed). History Fangirl is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. An artistic descendant of American icons like Guy Clark, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Robert Earl Keen and more, Bowen is another link in a Texan chain of roots-rock poets stretching back more than 50 years but his ambition never ended at the state line. The Watermelon Thump Parade is a sight to see. It's also home to World Championship Seed Spitting Contest. Two days of fun, holiday shopping is underway! Phone: (580) 541-7847. Former Luling Watermelon Thump Spitting ChampionWalter Nickells joined us in the studio with tips on learning how to go the distance as well as some other marvelous melon business to take care of! Newly remodeled! OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Spend One Perfect Day in the Grand Canyon: Itinerary & Travel Tips. If you love classic cars, dont skip out on the car show! We ate our souvenir watermelon a few days after getting home and it was the perfect sweet reminder of our time at the Thump! WebWatermelonthump.com has Google PR 4 and its top keyword is "luling watermelon thump" with 50.16% of search traffic. Past winners gowns and other memorabilia can be found displayed in town, and the queen becomes a small-town living legend. Third, bring cash. This tiny town near Austin transforms into a watermelon wonderland each year. If you hear a dull sound, its not ready. With more than 130 merchants to shop with, you're sure to find lots of new, unique, and One-of-A-Kind gifts all in one place to have you ready for all your festive events. Admission is free, parking is free. Luling, TX,