Luling Watermelon Thump
Luling, Texas

Luling Water Tower: World's Largest Watermelon

When: late June

Where: Downtown Luling

Standing 154 feet above the central Texas community of Luling, the sight of a watermelon-inspired water tower greets an estimated 40,000 visitors who arrive every final Thursday through Sunday in June to enjoy this unique Lone Star utopia's annual salute to summer.

Contests: Since the festivals inception in 1954, residents have ralled around participants at the watermelon speed-eating competition, where contestants plunge their puckers into crescent-shaped slices of the juicy treat, their faces rising only when an empty rind remains.

Gardeners bring the cream of their watermelon crop to vie for the title of largest melon, while others offer their finest fruit for the watermelon carving contest. The main event is the seed spitting contest, where contestants try to top the Guinness Book record of 68 feet 9 1/8 inches, which was accomplished at the Luling festival in 1989.

Activities: Live music provides the heartbeat for the festival, and the Texas tunes continue during several street dances. Four-wheel fanatics can check out a variety of vintage vehicles on display during the car show, while souvenir seekers can search among booths brimming with hand-crafted items.

Children's activities: Little sprouts can practice projecting watermelon seeds at the Spitway area, or climb aboard the kiddie rides at the carnival, which will also feature midway games for older children. Both the young and the young at heart will like lining up to watch the best in small town entertainment promenade past during the parade.

For more information:

• visit www.watermelonthump.com