Mr. Peanut vigil planned for Public Square in Wilkes-Barre

One way or another, Mr. Peanut will be honored Monday in his hometown of Wilkes-Barre.

There will either be a somber vigil or a celebration of the iconic mascot’s life at noon on Public Square, just a few blocks from where the global brand Planters Peanuts was founded.

It all depends what happens during the snack food company’s ad during Sunday’s Super Bowl.

After killing off the 104-year-old Mr. Peanut during a pre-Super Bowl ad, the company announced it will air a commercial of Mr. Peanut’s “funeral” during the third quarter of the big game.

Many locals, who remember seeing Mr. Peanut walking Wilkes-Barre streets selling peanuts, say they can’t believe the company would eliminate the face of its franchise and are hopeful it wont.

Mr. Peanut was created in 1916 to be the mascot, about a decade after Planters was founded on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre.

Visit Luzerne County, the tourism arm of Luzerne County government,  is organizing Monday’s event.

“A Wilkes-Barre icon, Mr. Peanut, has found himself in quite the predicament, according to previews of the Super Bowl ad for Planters Peanuts,” Visit Luzerne County wrote on Facebook.

“However it may end,  join us as we gather to either hold vigil or to celebrate our local legend ...”

The event will be held at noon in front of the Visit Luzerne County office at 56 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre.

“Whatever the future may hold for the lovable nut, Mr. Peanut will always have a home here in his birthplace of Luzerne County,” Visit Luzerne County wrote.