It’s Happening in the South…National Peanut Festival in Dothan, Ala.
Roasted, boiled, baked, fried – when you enjoy your peanuts this weekend, well you can thank the 100-mile radius around Dothan, Ala., for them. 
Yes, that’s right – half of the peanuts grown in the U.S. are found in this area.
And there isn’t a better way to celebrate the peanut harvest than at the 65th Annual National Peanut Festival in Dothan that kicks off on October 31 and runs through November 9.
Okay, I admit that I’m a little bias toward the festival since this is my hometown. I have many memories about Midnight Madness, a certain Gravitron ride that I still have un-nice flashbacks about, and the Peanut Festival parade that includes a cement mixer truck that dumps out roasted peanuts along the route and people run in the middle of the road (in between floats and such) to gather as many peanuts as they can.
Even though the location has changed since I’ve attended (now on Highway 231 South to accommodate its growth), there’s still the midway rides and games, good fair food (is the corn dog man still there?), concerts, events and of course, the two-hour parade.
Some other events this year include a demolition derby, fireworks and sea lion splash.
The National Peanut Festival is one of the “must-do” events in South. It’s something that you definitely shouldn’t miss if you are around the area.
Quick Take
What: 65th National Peanut Festival
When: October 31- November 9
Where: Dothan, Ala.
Time: Varies, depending on event
Cost: Varies, depending on event
photo credits: (top right) Boiled Peanuts, flickr, creative commons by cote; (mid left) National Peanut Festival, flickr, creative commons by sockmonkey59
1 Comment
If you love peanuts, you should try this new peanut liqueur called Castries. It makes a phenomenal peanut butter cup martini.