It will be a hot time in the city Saturday as the Brooklet Peanut Festival gets underway, but the heat won’t keep the fun at bay as a foot race, a parade and lots of peanuts lure visitors into the sun.
Of course, there will be plenty of ice cold drinks, Italian ices and other refreshing treats to keep people cool throughout the day.
“It’s going to be hot. It’s always hot,” said organizer Randy Newman. But the festival, which has grown over the years as visitors flock to enjoy the festivities, is always held the third Saturday in August, “which is the best time for peanuts to be in season,” he said.
The festival centers around the city’s rich agricultural heritage, and focuses on its main crop -the Georgia peanut.
The day kicks off with the “Peanut Run” at 7 a.m., then a parade at 10 a.m., he said. The festival’s theme for 2007 is “Military Appreciation,” and several military branches will be represented in the parade. The grand marshals for the parade are area veterans, and “any active military personnel who wants to walk” in the parade is welcome, he said.
After the parade, visitors can enjoy a variety of arts and crafts booths, as well as plenty of booths offering food from hot dogs and hamburgers, baked goods, ice cream, iced drinks and treats, candy and of course, peanuts.
They come boiled, fried, roasted and in a variety of candy and other delights and can be enjoyed at the festival or taken home for later.
Free entertainment is available throughout the day starting at 9:30 a.m., Newman said. The Southern Stompers will show off at the downtown gazebo at 9:30, followed by a performance by the Southeast Bulloch High School Band at 11:30 a.m..
Entertainment moves to the festival site at noon and includes soloists, groups from area music schools and churches, dancers, a DJ, and more.
A street dance begins at 7 p.m., ending at 10:30 p.m., and will feature The Variations.
Another very popular event during the festival are the tractor races. The Slow Tractor Race showcases antique tractors and the idea is to see how slow a tractor can go without stalling. The race is held mid-day.
Kids have fun racing as well - in a Kiddie Pedal Tractor race, which features age divisions . It will be held at noon with the Slow Tractor Race immediately following, Newman said.
The annual event is sponsored by several area businesses and individuals. This year sponsors include : Gold level sponsors - Red Diamond, Loxcreen, CORE Credit Union, Subway, Brooklet City Council.
Silver level sponsors: Loveday and Company, Bohler Family Practice, Farmers & Merchants Bank.
Grand level sponsors: Allen’s Plumbing and Electrical, Ag South Farm Credit, Home Health Equipment, Southeastern Trade & Auction Company, Farm Bureau.
The event is also sponsored by the following, he said: Brooklet Community Development Association, Statesboro Floor Covering,
University Tire, Ellis Wood Contracting, Bulloch Telephone, Contours Express, Ogeechee Peanut and Ken’s IGA.
Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at 489-9414.
Of course, there will be plenty of ice cold drinks, Italian ices and other refreshing treats to keep people cool throughout the day.
“It’s going to be hot. It’s always hot,” said organizer Randy Newman. But the festival, which has grown over the years as visitors flock to enjoy the festivities, is always held the third Saturday in August, “which is the best time for peanuts to be in season,” he said.
The festival centers around the city’s rich agricultural heritage, and focuses on its main crop -the Georgia peanut.
The day kicks off with the “Peanut Run” at 7 a.m., then a parade at 10 a.m., he said. The festival’s theme for 2007 is “Military Appreciation,” and several military branches will be represented in the parade. The grand marshals for the parade are area veterans, and “any active military personnel who wants to walk” in the parade is welcome, he said.
After the parade, visitors can enjoy a variety of arts and crafts booths, as well as plenty of booths offering food from hot dogs and hamburgers, baked goods, ice cream, iced drinks and treats, candy and of course, peanuts.
They come boiled, fried, roasted and in a variety of candy and other delights and can be enjoyed at the festival or taken home for later.
Free entertainment is available throughout the day starting at 9:30 a.m., Newman said. The Southern Stompers will show off at the downtown gazebo at 9:30, followed by a performance by the Southeast Bulloch High School Band at 11:30 a.m..
Entertainment moves to the festival site at noon and includes soloists, groups from area music schools and churches, dancers, a DJ, and more.
A street dance begins at 7 p.m., ending at 10:30 p.m., and will feature The Variations.
Another very popular event during the festival are the tractor races. The Slow Tractor Race showcases antique tractors and the idea is to see how slow a tractor can go without stalling. The race is held mid-day.
Kids have fun racing as well - in a Kiddie Pedal Tractor race, which features age divisions . It will be held at noon with the Slow Tractor Race immediately following, Newman said.
The annual event is sponsored by several area businesses and individuals. This year sponsors include : Gold level sponsors - Red Diamond, Loxcreen, CORE Credit Union, Subway, Brooklet City Council.
Silver level sponsors: Loveday and Company, Bohler Family Practice, Farmers & Merchants Bank.
Grand level sponsors: Allen’s Plumbing and Electrical, Ag South Farm Credit, Home Health Equipment, Southeastern Trade & Auction Company, Farm Bureau.
The event is also sponsored by the following, he said: Brooklet Community Development Association, Statesboro Floor Covering,
University Tire, Ellis Wood Contracting, Bulloch Telephone, Contours Express, Ogeechee Peanut and Ken’s IGA.
Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at 489-9414.