It is again time for the Peanut Festival. This is the 24th annual on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6, 2013 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day. The admission, parking, contests, and entertainment are free.
This is a nonprofit. We are honored to be part of the Beaches to Woodlands Tour again this year, celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The Peanut Festival is held every year on the Gabbert Farm in memory of Melissa Caroline Gabbert, who died from cancer complications at the age of nineteen. We will also remember all those in our communities, around Jay, who have passed away since the last Peanut Festival, like Eloise Simmons, who fought for her life, having all kinds of health problems for years, as did Erma Wilson. Everyone who knew Brother James Rheem, Frank Fields, and Steve Goodson know they lost someone special. Just recently, we lost 17-year-old Cheyenne Glenn, who was killed in a 4-wheeler accident. We have lost many others, and we miss them.
This is a family festival; something for everyone. There will be arts, crafts, antiques, new items, inflatable rides, train rides, rock-climbing wall, bungee jump, aqua bubbles, pony & horse rides, wagon rides, stagecoach rides, and hayrides. There will be a large display of farm animals, thanks to Ivy Whitfield. The Santa Rosa County Fair will have Gem Mining. There will be all kinds of foods and beverages. And there will be sweets like ice cream, cotton candy, funnel cakes, and candy apples. Don't forget all those good church baked goods and peanut brittle. The Jay Volunteer Fire Department will be boiling peanuts supplied by Frank Lowery Farms. Holland Farms will have some delicious candied peanuts. Fried peanuts will also be sold. The Rose Bowl will have candied peanuts.
The Watson Family is in charge of entertainment on Saturday and will perform. Jim Lassiter and his family are in charge of the gospel music on Sunday that will begin as soon as Brother Greene finishes the church service that starts at 9 a.m. The Lassiter Family will also perform. Mr. Henry Botts will be the MC both days. Henry will celebrate his 93rd birthday in October.
The 1930s Farm Museum will be open for tours. The 1940s Gabbert's Implement Museum will also be open. It is a replica of a 1940s John Deere Dealership. There will be a large display of fully-restored antique tractors, horse-drawn equipment, wagons, & farm-related equipment. There will be antique automobiles and putt, putt engines on display. There will be a grist mill this year.
And don't forget, there is a pig chase on Saturday and probably on Sunday too. The Pet Dress-up Contest will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday led by The Cat from Cat Country. Winners from all the contests will receive cash prizes.
So, bring a lawn chair, your appetite, sunglasses, so as not to strain your eyes looking at everything, and your children, so they can have a good time. In other words, come and stay all day. Relax, listen to the music and hear the sounds of joy all around you. With these trying times, we need to enjoy life when we can.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 24th annual Peanut Festival at Gabbert’s Farm is Saturday