Mr. Peanut, that debonair, monocle wearing ambassador of Planters Nuts, will be Grand Marshall of the Plains Peanut Festival Saturday Sept. 23, 2000 in Plains, Georgia.

Mr. Peanut will join President Jimmy Carter at the Saturday celebration of "Plains, Peanuts and a President". Carter, the peanut farmer who became President, is a full-time resident of Plains, the hometown where he grew up and went to school. Carter and First Lady Rosalynn are always a part of the Plains Peanut Festival and are usually in the parade stands on Saturday.

Planters, the "Official Snack of NASCAR" is excited to enter the sporty, 25-foot Mr, Peanut Hot Rod in the Peanut Festival Parade.

After the parade, the Hot rod will be on tour in front of the Planters Pavilion during the Saturday festivities. The Hot rod is fully equipped to captivate and entertain everyone. It features interactive video games, activities and prizes along with free tasty samples of Planters products.

Planters Nuts is one of the sponsors for the annual Plains Peanut Festival. Mr. Peanut and his entourage will have a tent exhibit demonstrating the uses of peanuts and the healthy benefits of eating peanuts.

Mr. Peanut's appearance was arranged with the help of The Peanut Institute, headquarters in Albany, Georgia. The Peanut Institute helps support nutritional research on peanuts in healthy diets. Recent research at Penn State and Harvard School of Public Health has found that peanuts are heart-healthy, can lower cholesterol levels and may even decrease cancer risk.

Other exhibits are expected from the AgriRama, The Peanut Institute, American Peanut Shellers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission, The Peanut Foundation, American Peanut Council, and the Georgia Peanut Producers Association. Over 40 arts and crafts and food booths will fill the Maxine Reese City Park and downtown Plains.

There will be continuous entertainment over the two days from the stage on Main Street and in the newly named Maxine Reese Park.

Terry Jones, coordinator of the Plains Better Hometown Program, said the 2000 Plains Peanut Festival should exceed last year's attendance of 4,000. Eight committees of local volunteers plan the two-day event Sept. 23 and 24, 2000.

A feature of the festival is the folk play locally written and featuring local people in the cast. "If these sidewalks could Talk-D.C. Bound" is the 2000 title. Kim Carter Fuller writes the play each year and Dr. Dan Arial, pastor of the Plains Baptist church, composes original music. Tickets are usually sold out early for the Thursday and Friday performances.

More information about the Plains Peanut Festival is available at www.plainsgeorgia.com or email Betterhometown@excite.com. Call 912- 824-5445 or The Peanut Institute at 912-888-0216.

The Peanut Institute is a non-profit organization that supports nutrition research and develops educational programs to encourage healthful lifestyles.