The Watermelon Thump was awesome. It seems as though everyone within a couple hours of Luling looks forward to Thump Weekend. There are events for everyone and it is very family friendly. Also, my brother Sam was able to work the festival with me.
The Grand Champion Black Diamond watermelon sold at auction for $8,200. The locals really support their farmers even though this was a drought year. The auctioneer got everyone excited and said, "come on, let's do bi-nesss!" to those who were on the fence of upping the ante. Very entertaining. Under the same pavilion Saturday night my friend Bret, my brother and I saw Robert Earl Keen put on a good show.

Also on Saturday, the world famous watermelon seed spitting contest took place on the official spitway in an alley between two buildings downtown. The rules are a little strange, but everyone had a great time spitting and the bleachers (yes, the bleachers) were full. Did you know that the world record was set in Luling in 1989? 68' 9(1/8)". Thats a long way. The parade had good floats and there was a classic car show on Sunday.


Whats more, we were able to help many families add perennial color and longevity to their new gardens in the Austin and San Antonio areas. They loved that our bulbs were Texas grown and held true even in the southern heat.