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Visitors Guide to Floresville || Page 15Page 15

Peanut Festival

Floresville Peanut Festival and the Floresville Peanut Festival Association

The Floresville Peanut the Association has elected
Festival is held the second full a Queen every year to be
weekend in October. It is a crowned at the Coronation
grand celebration emphasizing during Peanut Festival. This
the importance of the peanut ceremony has been a tradi-
to Southwest Texas and Flo- tion since the inception of
resville agriculture. the Peanut Festival and is a
The mission of the Flores- time honored tradition. The
ville Peanut Festival Associa- elaborate ceremony takes
tion is to continue the legacy place with much pomp and
of those who made our city/ ceremony. These ten young
county what it is by the influ- women and men are ambas-
ence of our agricultural prod- sadors of the Peanut Festival
uct, THE PEANUT, through Association and the City of
education and awareness. At Floresville who travel many
the beginning of the week, peanut miles promoting and inviting all to the
plants are hung downtown, heralding Peanut Festival.
the commencement of Peanut Festival. Friday begins the main celebra-
The festival began in 1938, as one tion with a Kiddie Parade geared for
of the first of its kind in Texas, and the kids in the community, featuring
has been a tradition in the community bicycles, wagons, kid battery-powered
since, excluding the war years. The vehicles, and all the imagination a
celebration was to be designated as child can bring to a parade, only for
the “Floresville Peanut Pow Wow” them. The winners ride in the Grand
to promote the farm commodity and Parade on Saturday, followed by a
to boast world success of Wilson FREE street dance, where it is a night
County’s diversified farming program. of great times with good friends. Food
In August 1938, the name changed booths open up on Friday afternoon
to the “Floresville Peanut Festival,” and will not disappoint. Everything
Governor-Elect W. Lee O’Daniel was from kettle corn, turkey legs, street
invited to open the festivities and head the tacos, to the most popular funnel cakes.
fair with his famous Hill Billy Band. Every Saturday morning starts out with
citizen of the county was asked for coop- the popular Grand Parade; with over 200
eration for the festival and Miss Elizabeth entries there is something for everyone!
Sheehy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe T. Surrounding cities come with their floats
Sheehy, was selected as Queen Tunaep I and entertain the crowd with splendor led
(peanut spelled backwards). Mr. Sheehy, by our local heroes, first responders, local
known as the “Peanut King of Southwest organizations, and bands. Then the all-day
Texas,” was Wilson County’s pioneer in entertainment for everyone — stages on
the peanut industry. He experimented with every street and on the courthouse lawn,
peanut farming and introduced the Spanish peanut, a viable crop, to bands, hypnotists, gunslingers — all sorts of entertainment for the
the farmers of Wilson County. Mr. Sheehy began his peanut busi- entire family, and it’s FREE!
ness in Sutherland Springs, TX and later moved it to Floresville in Artisan Alley is filled with local artisans with unique home-
1916. John Connally, later Governor of Texas, was chosen as King made items. Talented individuals sell their products to festival-
Reboog I (goober spelled backwards). goers; it lends itself to finding those diamonds in the rough. Don’t
The festival is a four-day festival: forget the food booths. There is enough food and drink to get you
Tuesday begins with the Goober Games; these games are through the day into the night for the ever-favorite street dance.
centered around the children of the community. Organizations, busi- Don’t forget to take a break under our tents and sit in the Beer Gar-
nesses and the Association come together to provide old and new den area to enjoy some shade while enjoying your favorite festival
games for the kids between the ages of 4 & 12. foods and drinks while talking with old and/or new friends. Then
Thursday the carnival kicks off. It’s three days and is a favorite Saturday evening is the FREE street dance where up-and-coming
of all festival-goers. You will find the classic carnival games and bands entertain the crowds, causing them to literally dance in the
rides. The ferris wheel is the most popular ride. Come and enjoy the streets!
carnival by purchasing an armband (each day) to ride an unlimited We cannot wait for you to come and enjoy the Floresville Pea-
amount throughout the day. nut Festival and the City of Floresville. For more information, go to
Also on Thursday is the Coronation of Queen Tunaep and King www.floresvillepeanutfestival.org. To keep up-to-date, visit us on
Reboog and the Court to reign over Peanut Festival. Since 1938 Facebook at Floresville Peanut Festival.