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Watermelon Festival

Plains, Texas

8.30.2014

waltz across texas

 

This couple took to the dance floor to "scoot a boot" at the live music venue sponsored by the Plains Watermelon Festival.  The spectators sat on bales of hay to watch and eat their watermelons  slices.  The dance moves were smooth; they probably weren't dancing when Ernest Tubbs recorded his hit "Waltz Across Texas" in 1941 but probably have made many twirls to the song since then.

 

Yoakum County 1929 Courthouse

Plains, Texas

8.30/2014

watermelon seed spitter

 

Plains, as it has done for 19 years, celebrates its annual Yoakum County Watermelon Round-up the Saturday before Labor Day. Yoakum County grows about 2,000 acres of watermelon — 300 acres of seeded and another 1,400 acres of seedless watermelon. All production is irrigated. Thousands of folks visit the car show, vendor booths, petting zoo and other attractions.  Many visit the museum located in the 1929 court house and venture upstairs to gawk at the cell block (all two cells!)  Live entertainment, emceed by Ron Robinson, plays under the elm trees and dancers scoot a boot on the courthouse lawn.  And don't forget the 20 food booths from fresh roasted corn to turkey legs and brisket burritos to funnel cakes.  Most popular is the free slice of cold watermelon.  Kids of all ages had watermelon juice dripping off their chins.  Seed spitting, aside from the official contest, occurred with regularity.

 

Watermelon Festival

Plains, Texas

follow the arrow

 

In case you don't know where the drive-thru window is at the Cowboy Cafe, follow the arrow.

 

Cowboy Cafe

Plains, Texas

6-22-2013

lavender harvest

 

A nice road trip today to Plains, Texas to cut my own wands of lavender.  Located on the grounds of the Rock'n N Bed & Breakfast, the limited lavender field is in full bloom.  The B&B occupies a 1914 ranch house and Neal Newsom, the owner, says he's booked for next week.  Neal gave up cotton farming to grow grapes.  There is no on-site winery but he provides grapes for 14 others -- except for this year when grapes were wiped out by the early spring freeze.  Want a quiet get-away?  Consider the Rock'n N -- wide open spaces, starry skies and no distractions for romance.

 

Rock'n N Bed & Breakfast (and lavender harvest)

2 miles north of Plains on Texas 214

www.newsomvineyards.com/bb.htm

 

 

 

cinderella's pumpkin

 

Did you know that the pumpkins for Cinderella's coach are grown down the road in Plains, Texas?  I wished and wished but it didn't turn into a Ferrari!