NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (EYT) – The 21st annual Peanut Butter Festival kicks off on Friday, September 16, in Gumtown Park along Water Street in New Bethlehem, Pa.
Sponsored by the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce, the weekend-long festival will include over 50 crafters and 15 food vendors, along with live entertainment, a peanut butter bakeoff, and a car cruise-in/car show.
The event begins with the third annual Peanut Butter Festival Wine Walk, which will feature 14 local wineries at 10 businesses throughout downtown New Bethlehem.
Throughout the weekend, festival-goers can partake in new events such as the hot dog and sub eating contests and a cornhole tournament.
Started in 1996, the Peanut Butter Festival stems from the local J.M. Smucker peanut butter plant that has been churning out the product for 51 years.
During the weekend festivities, the plant will sell jars of peanut butter and chocolate and peanut butter and honey. Redbank Valley Chamber members said people flock from all over the country to stock up on the product, which is only sold during the Peanut Butter Festival.
A full schedule of the weekend’s events can be found below.
Schedule of Events
Friday, September 16
- 4:00 p.m. – Festival Opens (Food and Craft Vendors Open)
- 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Wine Walk (Early Birds at 4:00 p.m.)
- 6:00 p.m. – Festival Queen Crowning at Stage
- 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Leatherwood Band
Saturday, September 17
- 8:30 a.m. – 5K Race
- 9:00 a.m. – Crafters and Food Vendors Open
- 9:00 a.m. – Peanut Butter Bakeoff Registration at Moose Lodge
- 10:00 a.m. – Mountain Bike Race (Registration at 9:00 a.m., Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting at 10:00 a.m.)
- 11:00 a.m. – Subway Sub Eating Contest on Stage
- 12:00 p.m. – Peanut Butter Bakeoff Auction on Stage
- 3:00 p.m. – Parade
- 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Inflatable Carnival
- 5:00 p.m. – Cornhole Tournament at Gumtown Park Basketball Courts
- 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Route 8 Band
- 9:00 p.m. – Fireworks by Glory on High Fireworks
Sunday, September 18
- 10:00 a.m. – Motorcycle Rally (Registration at S&T Bank)
- 11:00 a.m. – Crafters and Food Vendors Open
- 11:30 a.m. – Hot Dog Eating Contest on Stage
- 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Car Cruise-In/Car Show on Water Street (Registration at Redbank Chevy)
- 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Tractor Show at Gumtown Park
- 2:00 p.m. – Barber Shoppers
- 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Jimmy Swogger and Friends
- 3:30 p.m. – Duck Race
For more information, call Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce at 814-275-3929, or visit redbankchamber.com/peanut-butter-festival.
(Photo courtesy of Peanut Butter Festival Facebook page)
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