DOTHAN: Neighbors, friends and visitors from far and wide, the party is almost here! The National Peanut Festival, the nation’s largest peanut festival, returns to Dothan Nov. 6-15, and the whole community is invited to celebrate the fall harvest and say thank you to the local farmers who make it all possible.
There’s truly no place like Dothan for it. Known as the “Peanut Capital of the World,” this city sits in the heart of peanut country, where the majority of all peanuts grown in the United States come from within a 100-mile radius.
About 200,000+ fairgoers are expected to stroll through the gates for amusement rides, animal attractions, agricultural displays, concerts and livestock shows.
The fun builds to a big finale with the festival parade on the final Saturday, Nov. 14.
Many visitors will be coming to our city, and Dothan is ready to give them a warm Wiregrass welcome. Local restaurants will be serving up plenty of good meals, hotels will be filling their rooms, and shops will be busy greeting new faces. Every visit helps support local businesses and adds to the local economy, which benefits the whole community.
With so many people on the move, organizers ask everyone to drive safely and patiently. Residents are encouraged to lend a hand by using side roads, back roads and alternate routes when they can, which will help keep traffic flowing smoothly, especially near the fairgrounds on U.S. Highway 231 South.
The very first festival took place on Thursday, Nov. 10, 1938. That three-day celebration featured a pageant, parade, historical play and grand ball, and its guest speaker was Dr. George Washington Carver of the Tuskegee Institute. Dr. Carver had earned international fame for developing more than 300 products from the peanut.
The festival was held every year through 1941, then took a pause during World War II. It returned in 1947 and has been going strong ever since. Over the years it has been held in several places, most often at the Houston County Farm Center. Since 1999, it has called the fairgrounds on U.S. Highway 231 South home. The 200-acre grounds include two exhibit buildings, an amphitheater, an open-air arena and an Ag complex, and they host events all year long to help promote agriculture across the Wiregrass.
The National Peanut Festival wouldn’t be possible without the nearly 400 volunteers who show up and give countless hours throughout the year. Organizers also offer heartfelt thanks to the local peanut farmers and the entire Wiregrass agriculture industry for their dedication in giving this community such a wonderful reason to celebrate an important economic product.
Daily gate admission will be $11 each, children 5 and under are free with an adult paid admission. Ride armband specials are available. The National Peanut Festival has a clear bag policy. You can visit National Peanut festival.com for more information.
So bring the family, bring your appetite and come join the celebration. Dothan can’t wait to see you!
