The Best Summer Festivals In Small-Town Texas

In the summer months, Texans don’t have much of a choice when it comes to the weather, so why not make the most of it and head out for some fun? When it gets blistering hot outside and you’re looking for entertainment, head out to these festivals across the state for some breezy summer fun.

Luling Watermelon Thump

Since 1954, people have been coming out to Luling during a Thursday through Sunday in June for the annual Watermelon Thump. The festival draws an estimated 30,000 people to this small town of 5,000, where attendees enjoy live music, a parade, car show, carnival, children’s activities, and watermelon beer and wine coolers in the beer garden. The highlights of the festival, though, include the crowning of the Watermelon Thump Queen, the champion watermelon auction, and the world championship watermelon seed spitting competition.

The Great Texas Mosquito Festival, Clute

Westfest, West

Every Labor Day weekend since 1976, the town of West has celebrated the area’s Czech heritage with Westfest. Known as The Czech Heritage Capital of Texas, the area’s celebration includes the Kolache 5000 Race, cultural dance performances, a polka mass, carnival, helicopter rides, live music, and authentic Czech food like beer bread sandwiches, kolaches, and pierogies. Contests include horseshoe and washer pitching, and, of course, kolache eating.

Great Texas Balloon Race, Longview

Since 1978, hot air balloons have been lighting up the sky over Longview, Texas. The Great Texas Balloon Race earned the town the official designation as The Balloon Capital of Texas, and is a world-class event attracting some of the best pilots from around the world. Balloon flights over the city commence on Friday morning and continue through Sunday, with Balloon Glows, on Friday and Saturday night, entertaining the crowds with vivid displays of color. Live concerts follow, and a kids’ area allows children to play. Arts and crafts booths are available, as well as food vendors.

Parker County Peach Festival, Weatherford

Held in The Peach Capital of Texas, this festival celebrates one of the finest fruits of summer on the second Saturday in July. More than 40,000 people attend this one-day festival in Weatherford’s downtown square, and events include the Peach Pedal Bike Ride with 28-, 39-, and 61-mile options (45, 62, and 98 kilometers), 42 Domino Tournament, and the Parker County Peach Pageant, where newborns to adults can be crowned as Miss Baby Peach or Miss Peach Queen. Live music and more than 200 vendors are on-site for shopping and entertainment. Fresh peaches are available for purchase, with food vendors selling tasty items like homemade peach ice cream and refreshing peach juleps.

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