Jay Peanut Festival set for the weekend

It's that time again for the 29th annual Jay Peanut Festival from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, at Gabbert Farm, located at 3604 Pine Level Road in Jay.

"It is a family festival we have in memory of our daughter, Melissa," said Brenda Gabbert. "There is something for everyone."

Parking, admission, contests and entertainment are free and contest winners will receive cash prizes. Saturday, Felicia Johnson and Dare to Dream Entertainment will perform a mixture of music, song and dance.

On Sunday, Jim Lassiter Family and Friends will perform, and there will be gospel all day, and there will be a church service at 9 a.m. with the Rev. Earl Greene.

Many attractions there for the weekend include arts and crafts, antiques, new items, toys and lots of different type food vendors. Antique tractors, antique automobiles, wagons and horse-drawn equipment will be on display, plus putt putt engines, a grist mill and much more. The 1930s Farm Museum and 1940s John Deere Dealership replica in the Antique Shop will be open to see all day both Saturday and Sunday.

For the youngsters, there will be inflatables, a Rock Wall, Bungee Jump, Zorb, Aqua Bubbles, pony rides, train rides, and a pig chase for kids ages 4 to 12 at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and much more.

The Pet Dress-Up Parade and Contest will be on Sunday, Oct. 7, with registration starting at 10 a.m. and pet line up at 1:45 p.m. The parade starts at 2 p.m., with judging following the Pet Parade.

First place prize is $50, second palce is $25, third place is $15 and honorable mention will get $10. There will be an Unusual Pet category, other than a cat or dog and winners will receive cash prizes also.

The Jay Peanut Festival is held each year in memory of Melissa Caroline Gabbert, who died of complications from cancer at age 19. For more information, call the Gabbert farm at 850-675-6823 or the Santa Rosa County Extension Service at 850-675-3107 or 850-623-3868.