Dallas visitors where they were treated as royalty .
The fascination with the black-eyed pea began around 1909 when J . B . Henry , an Athens businessman , discovered this legume . As J . B .’ s granddaughter Nancy Duff tells it , “ He discovered the dried black-eyed pea when he was experimenting with ways to rid the pea vine of weevils and dried them out in an oven on East Tyler Street .”
In the 1940s , the Home Folks brand of black-eyed peas became one of Athen ’ s largest businesses . For many years , Home Folks marketed a specially labeled brand called Good Luck Peas for New Year ’ s Day , and Neiman Marcus carried Home Folks ’ pickled black-eyed peas as “ Texas Caviar ” as late as 1971 , which was around the time Home Folks owner Frank Dorsey closed the business .
Although the jamboree was a crowd pleaser for some time and even helped Athens to be coined the “ Black-eyed Pea Capital of the World ,” by the mid 1990s it was not as popular and it started to fade into the background of the Uncle Fletch Hamburger Festival and the Old Fiddlers Reunion .
This year , the Athens Chamber of Commerce , along with title sponsor Elder Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Athens , is bringing back the Black-Eyed Pea
Jamboree with the hopes of it
The Black-Eyed Pea Jamboree started an industry of memorabilia from local businesses . becoming a huge festival again for Athens . This year may not include all of the popular traditions , like the pageant , but the goal is to continue to add those back in over the next few years .
Some of the original favorites that will be back this year are the terrapin races and the pea shelling and watermelon seed spitting contests and there will be new events like the 903 Jeep Club car show and a BBQ cook-off . A pop-up museum will also be featured this year with lots of rich history from BEP Jamboree past .
Live music will return on Friday with Midnight Rodeo and a performance on Saturday by the Johnny and June Tribute Band . There will be many goods and food vendors and a Miller Athletics 5K and Fun Run on Saturday .
To beat the heat , the Cain Center is offering free swimming on Saturday as the site of the BEP Jamboree will be held at the Cain Center at 915 S . Palestine Street in Athens . So come on out and help Athens make some new history while celebrating ‘ The Black- Eyed Pea Capital of the World ” on July 22 and 23 !
Greater Athens Magazine | July 2022 | 7