Edit

70th Annual Luling Watermelon Thump Festival

Arts and Entertainment

April 28, 2023

From: Luling Watermelon Thump Festival

70th Year of Thump. In 1954, Hermon Allen, principal of the Luling Elementary School, proposed the idea of a celebration to honor the growers and promote the Luling watermelon market. A contest was held to name the event and the winner was a young man from Luling High School, Mr. Carol Ferguson. From that time, the Thump has been held the last Thursday through Sunday in June.
 
Time changes everything and the Thump has been no exception. Numerous events and attractions have been added and the 4 day annual event now draws an estimated 30,000 visitors to a town of 5,000.

Schedule of Events:

June 22, 2023
Carnival:
We are proud to partner with Alamo Attractions to provide an exciting carnival experience. Featuring rides for all ages, fun games and refreshments, you're sure to have a great time! Alamo's "All You Can Ride" Wristband prices are as follows:
Cost: $25

June 23, 2023
5:00 pm: Gates open
5:00 pm: Champion Melon Judging
7:00 pm: Queen's Coronation
After Coronation there will be live music on the Thump Pavilion Main Stage
12 am: Closing

Live Music:
8 - 9:30pm: Nicole Padilla
10-11:30pm: La Fiera de Ojinaga

Get Tickets

Carnival:
We are proud to partner with Alamo Attractions to provide an exciting carnival experience. Featuring rides for all ages, fun games and refreshments, you're sure to have a great time! Alamo's "All You Can Ride" Wristband prices are as follows:
Cost: $25

June 24, 2023
- 5:00pm: Gates open $5 per person
- 5:30 pm: Children's Individual and Team Seed Spitting Contest
- 8:30pm-12am: Music on side stage (free with gate charge)
- 7:00pm - 12am: Live music on Thump Pavilion Main Stage (tickets available at gate and online)
- 12am: Closing

Live Music:
6-7:00pm: Abigail Taylor
7:30-8:30pm: Emily Nenni
9-10:30pm: Jon Wolfe
11-12:30pm: Flatland Cavalry

Beer Garden Stage
1:00 - 2:30pm: Acoustic performance
2:30 - 4:00pm: Acoustic performance
10:30 - 12:30pm: Hip Hop, King Kyle Lee, Citta tha FatMac & Guests

Get Tickets

Carnival:
We are proud to partner with Alamo Attractions to provide an exciting carnival experience. Featuring rides for all ages, fun games and refreshments, you're sure to have a great time! Alamo's "All You Can Ride" Wristband prices are as follows:
Cost: $25

June 25, 2023
- 10:00am Thump Parade
- 12:30 pm Melon Eating Contest
- 12- 2:30pm music in Pavilion
- 1 pm Music on the Side Stage on Davis - music will be all day and evening
- 2pm Gates £5 per person
- 2 pm Adult Cornhole tournament
- 3:00pm Champion Watermelon Auction
- 4:30pm World Championship Seed Spitting Contest
- 5:30pm-1 am Live music on Thump Pavilion Main Stage (tickets will be available at gate and online)
- 1am Closing

Carnival:
We are proud to partner with Alamo Attractions to provide an exciting carnival experience. Featuring rides for all ages, fun games and refreshments, you're sure to have a great time! Alamo's "All You Can Ride" Wristband prices are as follows:
Cost: $25

June 26, 2023
- 10:00am: Car Show
- 11am: Music on Thump Main Stage
- 12pm: Lil Growers Check In
- 1:00pm: Lil Growers Watermelon Weight In
- 2:30pm: Salute to Veterans
- 3 pm: Team - Seed Spitting Contest
- 6pm: Festival Closing

Carnival:
We are proud to partner with Alamo Attractions to provide an exciting carnival experience. Featuring rides for all ages, fun games and refreshments, you're sure to have a great time! Alamo's "All You Can Ride" Wristband prices are as follows:
Cost: $25

Car Show:
Our fabulous Car Show routinely draws in excess of 100 entries each year and is a patron favorite. Check out all the pristine vehicles all day on Sunday, Admission is FREE!

Date: June 22-26, 2023

Location: Watermelon Thump Pavillion, 177 E Crocket Street, Luling, TX 78648

Click here for Parade Registration

Click here for more information