Every year, since 1938, Floresville has celebrated the peanut crop and the farming program, making this crazy year the 76th celebration. While the festival itself has been rescheduled for March 2021, the Royal Court still had a coronation, and on October 10th, 2020, a mini-parade traveled through Floresville, TX to celebrate the occasion.

Since we are still social distancing with COVID-19, the coronation was by invite only, but was live streamed so everyone could still join the fun.  I would like to thank the royalty and their families, who took time today to answer all of our questions about this long-standing tradition. 

 

Court of Avian Artistry Float

Queen Mary Pierce of Floresville High School explained that each elect celebrated a different region, which could be seen on their handmade gown. Mary's gown is adorned as a peacock, and the Princess' have hummingbirds, parrots, a bald eagle and a heron. You can check out these beautiful gowns in the pictures below, and displayed in the shop windows around Floresville.

The King, Queen, Princes and Princesses are all High School Seniors, but the little kids still can be involved as crown, scepter and train bearers, pages and acolyte. Crown Bearer Joseph Woelfler's great grandfather happily told me that Joseph is joining a long standing family tradition being part of the Peanut Festival and court. In fact, when he was in high school, Joseph's great grandfather hung the peanuts in front of the shops in the town square.

Front Row: Train Bearer Saedi Matthews and Crown Bearer Joseph Woelfler Second Row: Acolyte Timmy Trevino Third Row: Train Bearer Trace Tackitt and Scepter Bearer Braelynn Brooks Fourth Row: Page Juliet Herrera and Page Ezra Flores

Hanging Around Town

Peanut plants are hung around town in front of the shops, showing the pride in the crop honored in this 76 year celebration

A Family Tradition

Families of the crowned court show support walking behind their children's floats. But it isn't just mom and dad, we also saw grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and siblings wearing shirts for their relatives

The parade was lead by the Floresville officials, as well as the Court of Bejeweled Brilliance royalty from 2019. While the parade was only a few blocks and drove by in about 15 minutes, we did get to speak with some of the other viewers. Next year, we plan to be there before 9 to make sure we have a great spot to watch the 2 hour parade. We also plan to check back around town and see all the gowns displayed in the shop windows.

Mayor Cissy Gonzalez-Dippel

Councilwoman Jade Jiminez

District Attorney Audrey Gossett Louis

One of the Princesses of Bejeweled Brilliance

County Treasurer Jan Hartl and County Clerk Eva Martinez

Judge Sara Canady for Precinct 2

County Judge Dickie Jackson

Do you have any fun facts about the parade or peanut festival? Maybe you know someone who is or has been involved? Comment with their stories so I can learn, and share, more about this exciting small town tradition.

 

The 76th Annual Peanut Festival is scheduled for March 25-27, 2021. Hope to see you there!

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