As summer fades and the first cool winds of fall sweep through Dothan, Alabama, something familiar starts to take shape. It’s the smell of roasted peanuts drifting through the air, the distant rumble of carnival rides, and the steady pulse of live music. When fall settles over Dothan, it can only mean one thing: the National Peanut Festival is back. More than just a fair, this beloved tradition has been bringing the Wiregrass together for generations, celebrating the harvest, the farmers, and the community at the heart of it all.

What began in 1938 as a local tribute to farmers has grown into a sprawling, multi-day celebration of agriculture, music, food, and community. For Festival Director Tony Ellison, the heart of the event has never changed. 

“The National Peanut Festival is more than a celebration of the peanut harvest—it’s a celebration of our people, our heritage, and the community that makes this region so special,” Ellison says. “Every year, we’re proud to honor the farmers who feed the world and to welcome guests from all over to experience the spirit of Dothan. It’s a tradition we’re honored to carry forward.”

And it’s a tradition that continues to grow, year after year.

A Story That Begins in the Soil

To truly understand the National Peanut Festival, you begin with where it began— the land and the people who’ve worked it for generations.

In 1938, when the Wiregrass region was still defined by dusty farm roads and peanut fields stretching toward the horizon, the first festival was held as a tribute to local farmers and their annual harvest. That same year, the organizers invited Dr. George Washington Carver, whose research revolutionized Southern agriculture, to speak. His presence set a tone: this wasn’t just a fair; it was a statement of pride, purpose, and possibility.

Over the decades, the celebration has grown to include livestock shows, youth competitions, carnival rides, and headline concerts—but it has never lost its original purpose. Every event, every exhibit, every peanut-shell-strewn walkway still reflects the Wiregrass’s deep agricultural legacy.

Agriculture at the Heart

At its core, the National Peanut Festival remains a love letter to farming.

The festival’s livestock events—from swine and goats to cattle and poultry—draw participants from across the Southeast, showcasing the care and commitment of young farmers. The premium exhibits offer a glimpse into local talent across crafts, crop production, food preservation, and more.

One of the most engaging offerings is Peanut Pals Discovery Days, a kid-friendly, hands-on experience that brings agriculture to life for the next generation. From learning about soil science to seeing peanuts up close in all their stages, it’s a joyful introduction to where food really comes from.

In every corner of the fairgrounds, there’s a connection being made: between farmer and visitor, parent and child, land and legacy. And that’s no accident; the festival is a celebration of the people behind the peanuts just as much as the peanuts themselves.

Big Stage, Big Names

When the sun dips behind the grandstands and the lights flicker on, another side of the festival comes alive.

On the main stage at the All In Credit Union Amphitheater, the festival brings big names to this small city—past performers include Garth Brooks, Lainey Wilson, Eric Church, and The Charlie Daniels Band. Year after year, the lineup blends national talent with local flavor, proving that Dothan knows how to throw a party worthy of its agricultural pride. This year’s roster promises more highlights, with headliners like Shenandoah and Anne Wilson joining forces with up-and-coming artists like Emily Ann Roberts and Vincent Mason. 

Smaller stages scattered across the grounds keep the music going throughout the day, offering performances from regional favorites. The atmosphere is electric but intimate—southern hospitality set to a country soundtrack.

The Parade: A Small Town’s Big Moment

Before the concerts, and before the carnival rides, there’s the parade.

Winding through the heart of downtown Dothan, the National Peanut Festival Parade is a community favorite. Floats, marching bands, school groups, veterans, dancers, and, naturally, peanut-themed everything bring thousands to the streets in one of the most beloved events of the season.

It’s a moment when the entire Wiregrass community shows up for one another–kids waving from flatbeds, neighbors hugging on sidewalks, and a shared pride that stretches from the front porches to the peanut fields.

More Than a Festival

Yes, there are funnel cakes and Ferris wheels, country music and carnival lights–but the National Peanut Festival is more than the sum of its parts.

It’s a time capsule and a celebration—a gathering where the stories of Dothan’s past meet the promise of its future. It’s where agriculture, art, and music collide in the most joyful, distinctly Southern way. And at its core, it remains what it was always meant to be: a tribute to the land, the people who tend it, and the community that holds it all together.

This November, come for the peanuts–and stay for the joy, the music, and the sense of belonging at the National Peanut Festival in Dothan.

Find schedules, events, ticket info, and more at www.nationalpeanutfestival.com.