Peanut Festival, Homecoming Bring Full Weekend to Grapeland

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

GRAPELAND — The Sandies are coming home with four straight wins, three young women are preparing for the Peanut Queen Pageant and Grapeland is getting ready for a weekend that will stretch well beyond the football field.

The 81st annual Grapeland Peanut Festival returns Thursday, Oct. 15, through Saturday, Oct. 17, bringing carnival rides and live music to Grapeland City Park, along with the familiar Saturday morning parade. Paired with school homecoming festivities, the celebration will give returning graduates and local families plenty of opportunities to spend time together.

This year’s festival also carries a patriotic theme celebrating America’s 250th birthday, adding red, white and blue to a local tradition dating back to 1945.

Homecoming activities get an early start with a bonfire scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 6-8:15 p.m. at the Grapeland football field parking lot. The evening will include a pep rally, food and drink vendors, and live music by Ashley and Randy Selman.

The graduating classes of 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2016 will be recognized, giving alumni celebrating milestone anniversaries a gathering place ahead of Friday’s game.

The festival opens Thursday with Family Night at Grapeland City Park. Carnival rides will operate all three days, with wristbands available Thursday through Saturday.

For Grapeland Area Chamber of Commerce President Samantha Bozeman, the weekend is an opportunity to preserve the events families have enjoyed for generations while giving them something different to experience.

“If they’ve never come, I hope they come and expect to see some traditions,” Bozeman said. “But if they’ve come for 20 years, I hope they come to enjoy the traditions, but also experience some new things that we’re bringing to the community.”

Friday, Oct. 16, will bring plenty of attention to the football field, where Grapeland hosts Cross Roads at 7 p.m. in The Messenger’s Game of the Week.

The Sandies enter homecoming with four consecutive victories, but Coach Jordan Wood is warning against judging the visiting Bobcats solely by their record.

Cross Roads is 2-4 overall and 0-2 in district play following a 49-22 loss to Overton Thursday, Oct. 8. Its other district loss was much closer — a 32-29 defeat against Tenaha, the same opponent Grapeland just beat.

“We still have a good week of preparation because they’re going to put a good product on the field,” Wood said. “The record doesn’t always reflect it, but they’re going to be well coached and well prepared.”

Wood’s preparation includes getting the Sandies’ defensive backs ready for an opponent willing to throw.

“They throw the ball a lot, and so we have to make sure we are very disciplined on the back end and stay with our guys,” Wood said.

After the game, fans will have another reason to stay in town. Friday’s festival schedule includes a street dance and music in the park, with country artist Curtis Grimes scheduled to perform from 9:30-11 p.m. Music will begin earlier in the evening.

“We hope people come out and listen and eat some snacks and ride some rides and just enjoy the music,” Bozeman said.

Saturday, Oct. 17, begins with the Peanut Festival Parade at 10 a.m. Along with choosing a place to watch, families may want to bring something to carry home the children’s collection of treats.

Bozeman said parade participants are being encouraged to toss candy and other goodies to spectators.

“Who doesn’t like taking home a bunch of goodies from a small-town parade?” she said.

Following the parade, activities return to Grapeland City Park, where live music begins at 11 a.m. and continues throughout the afternoon. Food and arts and crafts vendors will join the carnival and other festival activities.

Returning vendors will be joined by new ones, and Bozeman said organizers are adding interactive activities not featured in recent festivals.

One returning offering will answer a question visitors have asked in recent years: Where are the peanuts?

“They can expect some peanuts for sale at the Chamber of Commerce booth,” Bozeman said. “We haven’t had that the last couple years, but we’re trying to bring that back because I know everybody wants to know where the peanuts are for the Peanut Festival.”

Saturday evening’s attention will turn to Lorena Shoultz Auditorium, where Hazel Martinez, Shaylie Rice and Aaliyah Tryon will compete in the Peanut Queen Pageant at 6 p.m.

The pageant will also include the announcement of winners in a new King’s essay competition.

“We’re really excited to be able to get the guys involved as well,” Bozeman said.

FESTIVAL AND HOMECOMING AT A GLANCE

Wednesday, Oct. 14

• Homecoming bonfire — 6-8:15 p.m., Grapeland football field parking lot.

• Pep rally, food and drink vendors, and live music by Ashley and Randy Selman.

• Recognition of the classes of 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2016.

Thursday, Oct. 15

• Peanut Festival opens at Grapeland City Park.

• Family Night.

• Carnival rides and wristbands available.

Friday, Oct. 16

• Carnival rides, food and festival activities.

• Homecoming football — Grapeland hosts Cross Roads at 7 p.m. in The Messenger’s Game of the Week.

• Street dance and music in the park.

• Curtis Grimes — 9:30-11 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 17

• Peanut Festival Parade — 10 a.m.

• Live music at Grapeland City Park begins at 11 a.m.

• Food, arts and crafts, carnival rides and festival activities throughout the day.

• Peanut Queen Pageant — 6 p.m., Lorena Shoultz Auditorium, featuring Hazel Martinez, Shaylie Rice and Aaliyah Tryon.

• King’s essay competition winners announced during the pageant.

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]