(BROOKLET, GA - August 19, 2013) In the 1980s, a group of ladies met for their regular get-together in Brooklet, Georgia. Christmas was a-comin' so the conversation naturally turned to who was gonna put up what decoration for Christmas. The enthusiasm began to build as more ambitious ideas were discussed; and the next thing they knew the Brooklet Peanut Festival was born.
The reason the peanut crop was chosen as the cornerstone of the Festival is that it is a major agricultural crop in the area, providing much needed jobs and income to the residents and contributing greatly to the prosperity of the community. It is estimated that between 12,000 and 15,000 people attend each year; but because it is one of the last free festivals, there is no way to get an accurate count. The Festival is always held on the third Saturday in August.
This year was the 24th annual Festival, and 8 years ago, Randall Burkhart, a Brooklet resident, convinced the 34th GA Artillery re-enactors to set up a booth to sell t-shirts to raise money to buy powder for re-enactment events. One thing led to another, and although they never fired their artillery, a group began to show up for the parade. The 34th Georgia, working along with the Ogeechee Rifles SCV Camp in Bulloch County began to organize and participation at the event grew, with the re-enactors marching and firing their muskets becoming a top attraction for the Festival. Many SCV Camps in the 5th and 6th Brigades of the Georgia Division now are regulars at the Festival including Camp Davis, the Ogeechee Rifles, the Ebenezer Rifles, E. Porter Alexander Camp, the Savannah Militia Camp, and the Immortal Six Hundred Camp.
The major goals of the SCV participants are to build a good relationship with the local community and portray an accurate image of the brave Confederate soldiers who defended Georgia during the federal invasion. The Brooklet community warmly welcomes the SCV every year; and folks passing by congratulate the re-enactors for a job well done.
