Peanuts and a president celebrated in Plains

By Greg Bluestein

Associated Press

The crowd began gathering early Saturday, packing the sidewalks outside former President Jimmy Carter's old campaign headquarters and lining downtown streets to celebrate the town's favorite son and its favorite crop.

Enlarge photo

John Bazemore, AP Former President and peanut farmer Jimmy Carter waves to participants in the the Peanut Festival parade.

Enlarge photo

John Bazemore, AP A man on a tractor rides through downtown Plains, Ga., during the during the Peanut Festival parade.

Enlarge photo

John Bazemore, AP A participant in the Peanut Festival parade throws peanut to spectator in Plains, Ga.

More Atlanta area news »

• Beryl may bring rain, wind here
• Suicide call leads to pot bust
• Not all cheating the same at APS
• Sneiderman battle recalls 1989 saga

Plains' annual festival was a pep rally for the southwest Georgia town's two main exports: peanuts and the 39th president. Peanut boosters took the opportunity to try erasing memories of the nationwide salmonella outbreak that was linked to Georgia-made peanut products.

The outbreak, linked to a plant in nearby Blakely, Ga., forced Georgia legislators to adopt new food safety regulations after it sickened hundreds and may have caused the deaths of as many as nine people.

But Saturday's festival was a time to rejoice, and, as peanut executives were eager to point out, there was reason to celebrate.

Peanut sales that plunged about 20 percent after the outbreak have since rebounded, jumping about 15 percent last month compared to the same time the year before, said Tyron Spearman, executive director of the National Peanut Buying Points Association. He also said sales for the year are edging upward.

"It's a miracle," said Spearman, who attributed the rise partly to the economy, as struggling families look for cheaper high-protein foods. "It has come back at an unbelievable pace."

The outbreak sent shudders throughout Georgia's peanut industry, which employs more than 50,000 people and packs an estimated economic impact of $2.5 billion. And although the number of peanut farmers around Plains has declined over the years, the crop is still an essential part of the town's life.

"We've always depended on peanuts here," said Carter, who has been involved in growing peanuts since he was a 5-year-old on his family farm. "It's still a great factor in my life. Peanut growers, peanut producers — we all feel like a giant family and we're celebrating one of the greatest products here."

The festival featured the usual staples — funnel cakes, ice cream and plenty of barbecue — but peanuts were an unavoidable theme. There were fried peanut butter sandwiches, creamy peanut butter ice cream, peanut brittle, boiled peanuts, roasted peanuts and enough peanut candies to supply Halloween treats for the whole town.

The food motif fit in well with the peanut sculptures, toys and antiques sold in the town's shops and the tents that sprang up along Plains' side streets. Clearly peanuts here are more than a staple. They are a way of life.

"Peanuts mean more to this town than anything else," said Sandra Walters, the daughter of a peanut farmer who has lived in town since 1971. "And although we don't have as many farmers here anymore, our peanuts are very important."

A lively parade route snaked through town, a stream of peanut princesses and farmers sporting antique tractors once used to work the fields where the crops were planted. Each group turned to the balcony on the town's main hotel to honor Carter as he prepares to celebrate his 85th birthday on Oct. 1.

The president said he always goes out of his way to clear his schedule so he can preside over the annual parade. Besides, quipped Spearman, it wouldn't be much of a celebration without him.

After all, the festival's motto is: "Plains, peanuts and a president."