Music... Marching... And movable floats... A perfect recipe for a parade... But what makes this one so special?
"The queens that have won and the peanuts- you get free peanuts." says Lindsay Williams, a Parade Spectator.

The National Peanut Festival Parade is anticipated by wiregrass residents each year, and there is quite a bit of history behind it.
"1938 was the year it started. They did not have the parade during the war and one year there was dangerous weather so they had to cancel the parade the next year so we had a 2 for 1 that year." Says Carrie Cavender, the NPF Office Manager

Taking a look back as far as 60 years ago, A lot has changed, but there are plenty of new attractions and people added to the line up- including Clydesdale Horses and F-18 Military Jets.

"She was in the pageant, she's going to be riding in the float, and she has had so much fun taking part in all the activities." Says Amy Askew, mother of Little Miss Malone, FL.

“It’s a great honor, we have been marching in this parade for 40 years now, we are marching with distinction which means we are one of the best high schools here. We've had that honor for 6 years now." Says Chelsea Hassell, Dothan High School ROTC leader.

For some, the best part of the parade are the peanuts that are dumped onto the ground, everyone in the crowd goes wild and runs into the street to pick them up.
"That is tradition. We cannot have a peanut festival parade without the cement truck mixing in the peanuts." Says Pat Holland, 2008 NPF President.

There were about 65 floats that were in the parade, and as you may know, they were judged on their appearance.

Here is a list of the float awards:

1st Place: Town of Ariton
2nd Place: Town of Webb
3rd Place: Town of Cottonwood
4th Place: Dale County
5th Place: Town of Rehobeth.

President’s Award, Best Overall Float: Town of Taylor
Harry Teasley Award, Best use of theme and Peanuts: Sneads and Grand Ridge
Jack M. Tyson Award, Most Creative and Original: Town of Kinsey

After the festivities many people headed straight to the fairgrounds, organizers say tonight is the busiest night for the Peanut Festival.