Linus waits for ‘the Great Pumpkin’ in Floydada, Texas

Linus Van Pelt, the “Peanuts” comic strip character who is “a great believer,” has traveled to Floydada, Texas, to camp out in hopes that “the Great Pumpkin” will appear at the iconic Assiter Punkin Ranch this year.

 

For many families, the big red Assiter barn and grounds are an autumn destination. The place is buzzing during October with people buying various kinds and sizes of pumpkins, while children enjoy a petting zoo, train rides, hayrides and other activities.

Created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, Linus believes the Great Pumpkin will rise out of a pumpkin patch on Halloween, carrying a large bag of toys to deliver to believing children. 

Linus wants to be the first to welcome the Great Pumpkin.

 

While the other boys and girls go through neighborhoods trick-or-treating, collecting candy and other treats, Linus stands firmly planted in the field, patiently waiting. It’s been a constant vigil for Linus since 1959.

The relationship between Sally Brown and Linus Van Pelt in the “Peanuts” comic strip is a classic, lopsided romance defined by Sally’s persistent, unrequited crush.

According to Linus’ good pal Charlie Brown, there have been three reported “official sightings” of the Great Pumpkin over the years – in Connecticut, New Jersey and Texas.

So, it makes perfect sense for Linus to be stationed in Floydada, the county seat of Floyd County…and “Pumpkin Capital USA.” Floydada is located at the base of the Texas Panhandle, about 50 miles northeast of Lubbock.

An article appearing in Authentic Texas magazine, published by Texas Heritage Trails, LLC, of Austin, noted that the first pumpkin farmers in Floyd County were B.A. “Uncle Slim” and Grace Robertson, who began selling pumpkins from a roadside stand in the 1950s.

 

Uncle Slim taught Tommy Assister (below) the art and science of pumpkin growing.

Freelance journalist Loretta Fulton wrote: “Texans historically relied on pumpkins to feed their livestock in winter months and have used pumpkins to ‘cure’ both freckles and snakebites.”

 

Now, the pumpkin is also recognized as a good food for people to eat, an excellent source of Vitamin A, potassium and fiber, she said.

Data from Texas A&M University at College Station indicate that Floydada is the epicenter of the pumpkin growing region in West Texas, producing about 50 million pounds annually. 

Harvesting is done by hand, and Pumpkin Pyle, a 1,000-acre, family-owned farm, is the county’s largest employer.

 

As a wholesaler, Pumpkin Pyle grows 63 varieties that yield 15 to 20 million pounds of pumpkins each year.

“Around Labor Day each year, Pumpkin Pyle starts shipping 15 semi-trailer loads of pumpkins to the Dallas (Texas) Arboretum for its fall pumpkin village,” Fulton said. “Pumpkin Pyle supplies 75% of the pumpkins on display each year in the Autumn at the Arboretum event.”

Floydada’s annual Punkin Days Festival is always a highlight of the season. (Photo highlights follow.)