The watermelon seed-spitting contest is a no-go, but most of the Liberty Hill Independence Day Spectacular’s other popular features—such as the hot dog-eating contest—will still be held.

After months of deliberation and a community survey, Liberty Hill will go forward with this year’s festival, scheduled for 6-10 p.m. July 3 at City Park, according to City Event Coordinator Katie Amsler.

“A lot went into the decision,” Amsler told Community Impact Newspaper. “It would be on then off; we went back and forth, then we decided to put a survey out to our community.”

Amsler said the survey offered four options: the full festival, two scaled-back versions and a cancellation. Over 50% of respondents wanted the full festival, according to Amsler.

City Council voted May 26 to hold the festival.


“We decided that Liberty Hill is going for it and trying to do it as safe as we can,” she said.

Masks will not be required at the festival, but the city is asking attendees to maintain 6 feet of social distancing. Safety measures could change as the event approaches, Amsler said.

In addition to the watermelon seed-spitting contest, the giant beach ball drop—which involves children standing shoulder to shoulder as a large net of beach balls opens above them—will not be held.

Free parking and shuttle service will be provided from Liberty Hill High School and Liberty Hill Elementary School to City Park. Shuttle riders will be dropped off at City Park’s north entrance. There will be limited handicapped parking at the park’s south entrance.


The event is free, and food and beverages from both booths and food trucks will be available for purchase.

Here is the schedule of events:

  • 5:45 p.m.: shuttles begin

  • 6 p.m.: festival opens

  • 6-7 p.m.: Colby Keeling

  • 7 p.m.: announcements

  • 7:15 p.m.: hot dog-eating contest at Pavilion

  • 7:40 p.m.: apple pie, ice cream and hot dog eating champions recognized at band stage

  • 8-9:30 p.m.: Little Texas

  • 9:30 p.m.: closing remarks

  • 9:40-10 p.m.: fireworks


Food truck vendors and volunteers may register online at the festival website.

City Park is at CR 200, Liberty Hill.

According to Amsler, the record for the hot dog-eating contest—14 hot dogs with buns in five minutes—was set in 2015.