DOTHAN: Tired of losing your family in the crowd at the National Peanut Festival? Want to see where all your money is going while somebody screams on a roller coaster and somebody else is standing in line for a funnel cake?
The National Peanut Festival is taking things to new heights this year with the addition of the Sky Lift, a new aerial ride that will lift visitors above the midway for a bird’s-eye view of the lights, rides, games and crowds below. Just think of it as sightseeing with a little carnival excitement thrown in!
And the best part? You won’t have to climb anything, sprout wings or eat your way through a mountain of peanuts to get there.
The Sky Lift will make its debut during the 2026 National Peanut Festival, November 6-15, giving festival goers a whole new perspective on one of the Wiregrass region’s favorite fall traditions.
The ride will feature 73 chairs traveling along an aerial route across the midway, stretching from near the large Ferris wheel down the side of the fairgrounds. Riders will be able to take in the colorful carnival lights, bustling crowds and nonstop action from high above the ground.
The new attraction is coming to Dothan through a partnership with Reithoffer Shows, the company that provides rides and entertainment for the festival. Reithoffer also operates aerial attractions at other major fairs, including the Georgia National Fair.
Getting the Sky Lift ready for its Dothan debut required help from a ski lift engineer, along with the City of Dothan’s engineering and planning personnel. Apparently, taking festival fun to new heights requires more than just a tall ladder and a good idea!
Now, here’s what you need to know before you take flight.
A ride on the Sky Lift will cost $6 for a one-way trip or $9 for a round trip. The attraction will NOT be included with the standard Mega Pass or general unlimited-ride armbands, so visitors will need to purchase a separate ticket.
And parents, take note: Small children must ride with a supervising adult. So, if your little peanut wants to enjoy the view, make sure a grown-up is ready to go along for the ride.
The Sky Lift could also make it easier to spot friends in the crowd, locate the next ride or figure out where your family disappeared after everyone agreed to meet by the funnel cakes. Of course, spotting them from above and actually getting them to answer their phones are two entirely different challenges!
The National Peanut Festival runs November 6-15 at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds on Highway 231 South in Dothan.
For tickets and additional festival information, visit nationalpeanutfestival.com.
So get ready to look up, take in the view and enjoy a new way to experience the fair. This November, the National Peanut Festival is giving you another reason to go nuts — and this time, you can do it high above the crowd!
