Named for Dolphin Ward Floyd, a volunteer from Gonzales who died at the Alamo, Floyd County was created by the Texas legislature on August 27, 1876.  For near 130 years, this rural area has relied on farming for its sustenance and economic maintenance.  For the most part, Floydada farmers have relied on cotton for their primary source of income, however, many other crops have emerged, including corn, wheat, milo, onions, peppers, alfalfa, and others.  The most widely publicized crop in the area has now become the legendary pumpkin.  

The history of the pumpkins in the country date back to 1841 when a Santa Fe expedition passed through and stumble upon a group of Indians.  The Indians were startled and ran away leaving behind pumpkins that were quickly eaten by members of the expedition.  However, the real patriarch of our area pumpkins was long-time farmer, B.A. (Uncle Slim) Robertson. 

Robertson originally began with only ten acres of the orange crop and as the demand increased, so did his acreage.  He became affectionately known as “the Pumpkin Man” and sold his product on the roadside next to his home.  Later he began shipping truckloads all over.  Robertson’s claim to pumpkin fame was reinforce when a number of years ago, he received a letter from out of town addressed to “The Pumpkin Man Southwest of Floydada, Texas.”  Today the legacy left by “Slim” Robertson has triggered a surge of community pride and enthusiasm as Floydada has eagerly risen to fame as “Pumpkin Capital, USA” 

How did Floydada earn the privilege of becoming the “Pumpkin Capital”?  The facts and figures tell it all.  Although only about 1200 to 1400 acres of the crop are grown annually in this county, pumpkins produce about 20,000 to 50,000 pounds per acre.  That’s approximately fifteen to twenty million pumpkins.  Pumpkins are among the few crops which are harvested almost entirely by hand from the picking to the loading on and off trucks.  This time consuming task is complicated by the number of, size of, and variety of pumpkins being produced. 

The varieties of pumpkins include but not limited to….

          Jack-O-Lantern  10-50 lbs.

          Pie Pumpkins  2-8 lbs.

          Big Maxx or Prizewinners  50 to a few hundred lbs

          Atlantic Giants are produced weighing over several hundred pounds. 

Fairytales…Dk Green turns to leather color at maturity

          Cinderella…Flat, smooth, brilliant red color

          Lumina, Casper, or Ghost…White Pumpkins

Mini Pumpkins…Orange or White  8 oz

We also market many varieties of winter squash used for display or as a vegetable for a holiday dinner menu.  A few of these include…

          Carnival, Acorn, Butternut, Spaghetti, and several table squash

          Specialty Squashes include colorful, unique shaped fruit for table or display including          Blue Hubbard, Pink Banana, Cushaw (3 colors), and Red Warty Thing; sweeter flavor for pumpkin pie than regular pumpkin.

These varieties are loaded onto trucks and shipped to seventeen states.  As the profitable production of pumpkins began to increase an idea began to take shape in the mind of a local pumpkin producer and was passed on to the Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber enlisted a few very determined citizens and the first “Punkin Day” was born in 1987. 

Within three years, “Punkin Days” was to receive recognition from local and state-wide television stations, area newspapers, national magazines, and recognition on nationally broadcast programs.  The event gathers several thousand tourists each year to watch and participate in a fun-filled weekend of activities.  The “Punkin Days” committee’s philosophy of “fun for everyone” continues to lay the groundwork for creative contest ideas which draw hundreds of young and old, intellectual and downright silly participants.

Some activities at “Punkin Days” include…

          Pumpkin carving

          Pumpkin coloring

          Pumpkin decorations

          Pumpkin pie relays

          Pie baking

          Seed spitting contest

          Cow patty bingo

          Trunk or Treating

          Pumpkin bowling

          Pumpkin rolling

          Guess the Weight

          Pumpkin Wheel Barrow Race

          Lots More!!!

“Punkin Days” festivities begin early on the 2^nd Saturday in October.

Races kick off the day at 9:00 am followed by a variety of pumpkin games and activities for all ages.

Arts and crafts booths surround the square offering bargain hunters creative gift ideas.

A detailed schedule can be obtained early each fall from local businesses or contact the Chamber of Commerce at 806 983-3434 or on the web at www.floydadachamber.com