Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce Peanut Festival
Whitesboro, Texas

When: mid-October [check for this year's dates]

Where: Main Street in downtown Whitesboro.

Although the heyday of peanut harvesting in Grayson County has passed, folks have gathered in the town of Whitesboro for an annual salute to the goober since 1965. Peanut pride has grown so strong over the years that today an estimated 20,000 visitors enjoy the free day-long festival.

Attractions

*Citizens of Whitesboro riding past wave a welcome to the spectators who line Main Street during the parade. As the conductor strikes up the band, the blast of trombones and pounding of drums herald the arrival of Miss West Texoma, who is crowned during the event.

* Chrome gleaming in the autumn sun will draw the attention of auto enthusiasts towards the classy chassis on display at the classic car show. Owners of Model T's, Chevy's, Mustangs and other four-wheeled wonders
will pop up the hoods on the vintage vehicles so festival goers can inspect the cars up close.

*Look for a show down before sun down on Main Street as gunslingers duel in a Western shootout.

*Try to win a stuffed toy for your sweetheart at one of the many game booths set up at the carnival, which will be in town the entire festival weekend. Both the young and the young at heart will love taking a ride on the ferris wheel or fast rides like the Scrambler.

Competitions

Of course, the peanut has a prominent position in the festival, with participants lined up for the peanut shelling contest and the peanut spitting contest. Spicing things up, the festival also offers a
jalapeno-eating competition.

Children's Activities

* bouncy houses
* mini-tractor pulls
* face painting

Food

The aroma of barbecue and Cajun catfish will mix with the savory smells of such festival staples a hamburgers and hot dogs as a variety of food vendors tend their grills.

Shopping

Over 180 booths will be brimming with T-shirts, jewelry and other assorted arts and crafts.

For more information

•visit www.whitesborotx.com