If you’re looking for some good, wholesome, fall, family fun, then look no further! The 8th annual Plains Peanut Festival will be held Saturday, September 25, 2004, featuring continuous free entertainment, historical and educational displays, recipe contest winners, food vendors, and booths filled with unique arts and crafts. Themed “Plains, Peanuts and a President”, this event honors the peanut industry and the peanut farmer as well as to honor Plains native son James Earl (Jimmy) Carter, Jr. the 39th President of the United States of America. Sponsors for this year’s festival will be The Planters Peanut Company, Smuckers, the National Peanut Board, The Peanut Institute, the National Peanut Buying Points Association, the Georgia Peanut Commission and the Plains Better Hometown Program.
The day will begin with a 1-mile Fun Run at 8 a.m. followed by a 5K Road Race at 8:30 a.m. President Carter will present the awards for both of these events from the platform of the historic train depot, which served as a center for his Presidential campaign in the 1970s.
Following the awards, Main Street will come alive as the Peanut Festival parade begins at 11 a.m. You might even catch a glimpse of President and Mrs. Carter viewing the procession from the balcony of the Historic Plains Inn.
The Carter’s will also be available for their annual book signing with a limit of four books per person please.
For added entertainment, the SAM Shortline Excursion Train will arrive to take you on a short trip back to yesteryear. Climb aboard and enjoy this unique experience in air-conditioned, 1949 vintage cars. Shuttles will run at 12 noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
The annual Plains Peanut Festival Recipe Contest is always popular and is sponsored by The Peanut Institute, National Peanut Board and the Planters Company. A professional chef will prepare the winning recipes and let you taste some new ways to prepare healthful peanut dishes.
The Plains’ musical folk play “If These Sidewalks Could Talk” will once again grace the stage of the Plains High School on Friday and Saturday evenings. Written and directed by Kim Fuller this year’s performance promises to be all new and exciting.
Once the play is over on Saturday evening, join in for music under the stars at the Plains Welcome Center at 9 p.m. Slaughter Creek will be playing all your favorite 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s music. Admission is $10 per car and for each play ticket presented, you will receive $1 discount. Maximum discount is $5 per car. No coolers or alcohol please!
To conclude the Festival weekend, President Carter and the United States Secret Service will battle the Plains High School alumni at their annual softball game in an attempt to defend their championship title on Sunday, September 26th at 3 p.m. Admission is free, so come pull for your favorite team and see who will be the champions of 2004!
For more information, please contact Terri Joiner, Plains Better Hometown Coordinator at (229) 824-5373 or go online to www.plainsgeorgia.com.
