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Annual Peanut Convention Celebrates A 'Nutty' History In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- We all have our quirks, but a group gathering in Philadelphia this holiday weekend can only be described as 'Nutty.'

For the 37th year in a row, dozens of Planters Peanuts lovers brought their rarest Mr. Peanut memorabilia to show off at the Peanut Pals Convention. It's a celebration of all things Mr. Peanut- you know the guy with the top hat, cane and monocle. Anthony Scola organized this year's convention, and says his love of the iconic character comes from a strange place.

86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 22: Planter's Mr. Peanut attends the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

"I was terrorized by my brothers and sisters, because Mr. Peanut scared me in the stroller in Atlantic City. And then later on in life I decided to turn that into kind of an asset, and we used to go to a lot of auctions and so I would look for Mr Peanut items."

Scola says this is the first year that the convention is being held in a major city, and that many of the Peanut Pals members come from rural areas and as far away as Alabama. So what's the draw?

"Every year I come there's something new. I have not seen everything, that's for sure. So its always fun to see what people dig up, and what they're asking for it."(Scola)

The convention had items for sale and for swap, and also features a run up the Art Museum steps Sunday afternoon with a few people dressed in Mr. Peanut costumes.

More information on the Peanut Pals and their convention can be found online at www.PeanutPals.org.

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