DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — New and exciting things are coming to Dothan’s oldest and biggest annual attraction!

Frances Cook, National Peanut Festival Association President, declared that “Peanuts Galore and So Much More!” is the theme of the 2023 National Peanut Festival. The theme is meant to honor farmers of the Wiregrass and the crop that helps fuel the local economy.

This year’s festival will start on Friday, November 3, and run through Sunday, November 12. The fairgrounds will close later, at 11:00 p.m., on Thursday, November 9, and will open at 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 10, due to it being Veterans Day.

The Little Miss National Peanut Festival Pageant will be on October 14, and the Miss National Peanut Festival will be on Friday, October 20.

This year, additional security measures will be added at the fairground entrances such as metal detectors and bag checks. This comes after the deadly shooting at the National Peanut Festival Parade last year.

Additional security is not the only new thing coming to the National Peanut Festival in 2023. An opening night parade will be held at the fairgrounds, which will include local bands and other local attractions and entertainment acts.

Reithoffer Shows, the company providing the rides and attractions, will bringing their new Ice Jet Spectacular Ride and the New York, New York! Funhouse. The Petting Zoo will also be making its return to the National Peanut Festival.

Concerts will be announced Friday, September 1. Tickets, including Mega Passes, will go on sale that same day online and at Eagle Eye Outfitters.

For eleven days, Mega Passes will be $25.00 and on September 11, prices will increase to $30.00. Mega Passes include one admission and one ride armband and will be good for any day of the festival.