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How Floydada, Texas grew into the pumpkin capital of America

How Floydada, Texas grew into the pumpkin capital of America

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Nestled in the Texas High Plains, the small town of Floydada — home to just 2,700 people — has carved out an unlikely niche as the pumpkin capital of the United States. While Illinois leads the nation in overall pumpkin production, Floydada has become known for its sprawling fields and its role in fueling Halloween traditions by delivering jack-o-lanterns to families around the world.

Today, the High Plains region – which spans 41 counties and includes Floydada, Dalhart, Muleshoe – and Clovis, New Mexico, produces between 4,000 and 7,000 acres of pumpkins each year.

Floydada alone is responsible for growing an impressive 1,000 to 1,500 hectares per year and produces over 175 unique varieties. From classic orange jack-o-lanterns to decorative pumpkins and heirlooms, Floydada’s fields produce millions of pumpkins each year, attracting seasonal visitors and fueling fall festivals across the country.

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Local farms like Pumpkin Pyle and Assiter “Punkin” Ranch have solidified Floydada’s status as a go-to source for pumpkins, supplying grocery stores and fall festivals across the country. And it’s not uncommon to see a label reading “Grown in Floydada” on pumpkins in supermarkets and farmers’ markets, underscoring this Texas town’s status as a seasonal staple.

How did Floydada become the Pumpkin Capital of the United States?

A quick trip through Floydada reveals the city’s deep-rooted love of pumpkins at every turn.

Small pumpkins decorate the town’s welcome sign, and homes and businesses proudly display them on their porches. Across the city — in the parking lots of grocery stores, car washes and hardware stores — statue-sized pumpkins stand as symbols of local pride. Banners and signs throughout the city proudly proclaim Floydada’s title: “Pumpkin Capital of the USA.”

Every year on the second Saturday in October, the city gathers on its picturesque downtown square for a festive celebration. Pumpkins of all shapes and colors line the streets, while jack-o-lanterns painted bright orange dominate the seasonal scene.

The city’s modern pumpkin tradition dates back to the 1950s, when BA “Uncle Slim” Robertson and his wife began selling pumpkins from a small roadside stand, according to a proclamation archived by the Texas State Legislature. What started as a few acres of pumpkin growing has grown into a thriving industry, and at its peak in the early 1990s, Floydada produced between 15 and 20 million pumpkins annually.

But legend has it that Floyd County’s pumpkin history goes back even further.

According to the proclamation, Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado’s starving expedition in the 1540s was saved by roasted pumpkins offered by local tribes near Blanco Canyon.

In the 1980s, the city became the hallmark Pumpkin Capital of the United States, a title that continues to this day to honor its unique heritage and seasonal influence. It’s also the pumpkin capital of Texas.