What to know before grazing at Fredericksburg’s Texas Testicle Festival
When chowing down on deep-fried foods, we all know testicles are exactly the first item we all think of battering up and dropping in a fryer. This weekend, fans of rocky mountain oysters will flock to Fredericksburg, TX, for an unusual snack, no bull.
The Texas Testicle Festival kicks off on Saturday, January 14, from noon to 4 p.m., and is hosted by local ranchers and farmers at Fredericksburg’s Bankersmith Saloon.
“We’ve been hosting this testicle bash for four years now and it is always a ball,” said Texas Testicle Festival founder and lead testicle organizer Greg Ball to MySA in an email.
Ranchers and farmers castrate cattle often and — not wanting all the excess meat to go to waste — the delicacy was inevitably born, along with the Texas Testicle Festival. Before COVID-19, the event usually saw roughly 200 guests show up to grab some fried delights. The festival is also held when they have the most testicles, so it’s not always on the same date.
“Guests get excited to be able to chow down on testicles, listen to local artists and wash down their balls with cocktails or beer. It’s a special day that pays tribute to our strong ranching heritage,” Ball said. “One year, we went through 2,000 balls in four hours. Since COVID-19, we have fewer guests, but we are looking for a great turnout this year.”
Besides grabbing a plate of fried testicles, guests can grab other food at the event like burgers or pork sandwiches, and people can drink an ice cold beer while enjoying live local musicians.
Ball also gave a tip for first-time ball eaters, “Try not to choke. They are chewy. And catch a buzz before you try them for the first time. It’s a bit of an acquired taste. Also, don’t think about what you are eating. Just breathe.”
The Bankersmith Saloon is located at 7905 Old San Antonio Road, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite, although the page appears to be down, and range from $10 for kids ages three to 18, general admission for $20, and “Big Testicle VIP” tickets for $65, which includes all-you-can-eat testicles.
