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Peanut Fest 2019
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
2 | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2019
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Table of Contents Princesses........................4 Queen................................6 Chairman..........................8 Chalk.................................9 Map................................. 10
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2019
Schedule........................ 11 Clogging......................... 12 Entertainment............... 13 Shrimp............................ 14 Homemade goods........ 15
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A passion for peanuts Crisp fall air, peanut shells crunching underfoot, shrimp smothered in Old Bay and cocktail sauce, roaring engines during the Demolition Derby, screams of delight from the rides, sweet and savory indulgences of all kinds from the food stands, country music acts and more — it must be time for the Suffolk Peanut Festival. There’s no Suffolk event quite like the Peanut Festival. This annual homage to the city’s peanut-flavored past and agricultural heritage is akin to a county fair and features all the fun one would expect — and plenty of the unexpected. In addition to the usual rides, festival food, exhibits and fireworks, you can get your fill of peanuts in the shell, a petting zoo, the Rad Hatter tent where you can decorate a paper-bag hat to your heart’s content, musical acts known both nationally as well as locally and unique contests like the Peanut Butter Sculpture contest. When you add in the hot wing eating contests, chalk art contest, kids’ activities, Senior Day activities, Swamp Roar Motorcycle Rally, mud jam, dance and gospel performances, cornhole and more, there truly is something to sink your teeth into, literally or otherwise, at the festival. We look forward to seeing you out there. Have a great time!
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Ally Tolson
King’s Fork High School
Ally has played varsity volleyball all four years of high school and played softball in her eighth grade through sophomore years. She is class president, captain of the varsity volleyball team, member of the National Honor Society, was an upperclassman student leader for the Special Olympics Little Feet Meet, president of Young Ladies of Elegance Club and team leader at her job at Chick-fil-A. She has volunteered with the American Red Cross, the KFHS Booster Club, the Salvation Army and at the concession stand during the spring break tournament.
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Victoria Heerah
Imani Boatner
Victoria is a member of the varsity Scholastic Bowl, the Mosaic Steel Orchestra, Lifeteen Youth Group, Virginia Tech RISE Program, Student Advisory Board, National Honor Society and more. She worked at sweetFrog and made the Principal’s List, won the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence and the Most Outstanding Student awards in technical drawing, chemistry and engineering drawing. She holds CTE certifications in personal finance and economics and AutoCAD. She has been a math tutor and volunteered with the American Red Cross, at the food bank, with the 4H Suffolk Teen Council Club, with the King’s Fork recycling program, as a youth group leader and with the King’s Fork IB Summer Academy.
Imani has participated in the Biomedical Sciences Program, tennis team, Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, Biostem and the Upward Bound College Readiness Program. She achieved a perfect score on her writing SOL and has maintained a place on the A/B honor roll. She has volunteered as a camp counselor for Oak Grove Baptist Church and assisted with art activities at Kilby Shores Elementary School.
King’s Fork High School
Lakeland High School
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Khalema Salome
Amanda Davis
Lakeland High School
Nansemond River High School
Khalema loves to draw and animate characters. Her school activities have included varsity soccer and varsity tennis. She is on the Scholastic Bowl team, National Honor Society, Biostem and will be joining the debate team. She has maintained A/B honor roll and All A’s honor roll. She has been awarded for her writing and also received an award from the Sentara nursing program for being an involved participant. She has volunteered with King’s Dominion and gave out “You Matter” bracelets at her school to raise money for mental health research and bring attention to the importance of mental health.
Amanda is involved in the Ladies of Distinction Club, National Beta Club, National Society of High School Scholars and more. She has danced at Maureen’s School of Dance for 12 years. She is currently ranked second in her class and attended Virginia Tech’s Black College Institute Pre-College Leadership Program. She received a QUEST Scholar Award as well as the Eunice C. Moore Memorial Dance Scholarship. She has volunteered at Goodwill, ForKids and the North Suffolk Library.
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Carley Bennett Nansemond River High School
Carley is a lifeguard and is on her high school’s swim team. She is a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society. She enjoys painting, baking and playing cards in her free time. She has organized volunteerbased swim lessons for children in her neighborhood and helped coach children ages 8 and under on a summer league team. She said it is rewarding to see children go from being terrified of the water to getting a solid swimming foundation. She also volunteers for National Night Out and helps plan the event in her neighborhood.
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Miranda May Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
Miranda has played junior varsity and varsity soccer and basketball, as well as varsity field hockey. She is a member of the Roc Solid Foundation Club, Breast Cancer Awareness Club, School Spirit Club, Cross-Language China Club and more, in addition to being editor of the yearbook. She has participated in eXcel Leadership Academy, UVA Society of Women Engineers program and more. She earned the Suffolk Sister Cities International Art Award and Suffolk Art League Award. She has volunteered for the Special Olympics, church Bible school and the Day of Caring.
Foram Nanavaty Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
Foram has been involved in martial arts for nine years and Indian classical dance for six years and participated in tennis. She worked at the Neurology and Sleep Associates of Suffolk. She participated in Virginia Girls State 2019, Smithfield Spring Triathlon in 2016, National Spanish Honor Society and was third place in the Martial Arts Tournament in 2013 in the Intermediate Division. She has volunteered for India Fest, CHKD Junior Volunteer at Harbour View Physical Therapy Department, Martial Arts Tournament scorekeeper and timekeeper, Junior Prom Committee and the Haitian Awareness Club.
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Cassidy Hayes Suffolk Christian Academy
Cassidy has participated in varsity cheerleading and tennis, the ODU Tennis club, First Baptist Suffolk Youth Group, National Beta Club, Interact Club and Student Government Association. She was junior class president, Interact Club secretary, vice president of Beta Club, Student Government Association secretary and more, in addition to winning multiple awards for sports, Christian character and Christian leadership. She has been on multiple mission trips to Haiti with Supply & Multiply as well as Fuge Mission Trips to Charleston, Philadelphia, Greenville and Nashville and participated in Operation Suffolk, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, volunteered for CAPS and Beta Club service projects, volunteered at Obici Hospital and for the Goober Gang.
Margaret Copeland Suffolk Christian Academy
Margaret has performed with Mountcastle School of Dance and AllongĂŠ Dance Academy since 2007. She is active in Girl Scout Troop 5357 and received the Bronze Award in 2016. She has participated in the Helping Hands Club, National Beta Club and Interact Club. She has won several special awards and completed 90 Junior Ranger programs at National Park sites from Virginia to Alaska since 2015. She has completed numerous volunteer projects including missions fundraisers, volunteering for CAPS Night Stay and the book fair, Teacher Appreciation Week, packing Thanksgiving meal boxes, Rise Against Hunger, the soup kitchen and more.
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Shining Peanut Fest Queen crowned BY ALEX PERRY STAFF WRITER
Suffolk Christian Academy senior Cassidy Hayes was crowned the 2019 Suffolk Peanut Fest Queen Thursday evening at the Queen’s Banquet, which was held at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront Hotel on East Constance Road. Cassidy, 17, and the rest of the Queen’s Court shined brightly Thursday evening, and Cassidy herself was graciously humbled by the honor of being this year’s Peanut Fest Queen. “It’s kind of surreal,” she said after she was crowned. “I didn’t think this was going to happen to me, but it’s definitely an honor to represent Suffolk.” The court for the 42nd annual Suffolk Peanut
Fest this October consisted of 10 Suffolk high school seniors, with two from each Suffolk high school. The outstanding young women of this year’s Peanut Fest Court are Victoria Heerah and Ally Tolson of King’s Fork High School, Imani Boatner and Khalema Salome of Lakeland High School, Carly Bennett and Amanda Davis of Nansemond River High School, Miranda May and Foram Nanavaty of Nansemond Suffolk Academy, and Margaret Anne Copeland and Cassidy Hayes of Suffolk Christian Academy. The title of Peanut Fest Queen is awarded annually based on the young ladies’ activities, awards, achievements, volunteerism and community involvement.
Each senior also writes a personal essay based on the Peanut Fest theme, and are evaluated on their poise, personality and presentation on-stage at the Queen’s Banquet, including their responses to interview questions. “Having met all 10 of these young ladies and learning so much about them through their applications and essays, I can personally attest to the fact that the decision on who to crown tonight will not be an easy one,” said Dr. Brittney Drames, 2019 Peanut Fest Queen and Court coordinator. “They are all outstanding and the brightest representation of our city possible.” Suffolk Mayor Linda T. Johnson also praised this stunning Peanut Fest Court in her remarks. “Each one of you is here today as a result of your
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commitment to academic excellence and leadership in your respective schools and communities,” Johnson said, “and each one of you deserves — first of all, each one of you deserves to win, I wish we could have 10 crowns — but you deserve our recognition for your many accomplishments, and we extend our best wishes to each of you on your future endeavors.” At Suffolk Christian Academy, Cassidy is on the cheerleading and tennis teams and is involved in student government. She has also been on five mission trips to Haiti with the group Supply and Multiply, and is active with Operation Suffolk and the Peanut Fest Goober Gang. For her interview quesSee QUEEN, 7
Cassidy Hayes is the 2019 Peanut Festival Queen.
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Queen: SCA senior honored
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tion, Cassidy was asked what her definition of success was, and her response on-stage demonstrated her drive to do her best. “My definition of success has nothing to do with fame or money,” she said to the many banquet attendees Thursday evening, “but I think success is really achieving the goal that you aim for, no matter how big or little it is. I think it’s just doing the best of your ability.” Each of the young ladies’ essays this year reflected the theme of Peanut Fest 2019: “Let the sun shine, it’s Peanut Fest time.” Cassidy’s essay was a stroll down memory lane, back to her first Peanut Fest when she was just 11 years old. She remembered that it was a cloudy,
gloomy day in Suffolk. At first, she wasn’t excited to go to Peanut Fest that gloomy day — but everything changed quickly when she arrived. “As I was greeted by the Goober Gang, I immediately felt welcomed and part of a larger community,” she said as she read her essay aloud, as a proud member of the Goober Gang herself. She spent her first day of Peanut Fest on the rides with her friend, eating all the tasty festival treats and “laughing and smiling at the fun surrounding us,” she said. “I can tell you it was like the sun breaking through the clouds. I couldn’t help but let the joyous spirit inside me burst into smiles and laughter,” she said.
She compared the Suffolk Peanut Festival to that hit song by The Temptations — as sunshine on a cloudy day, or a cloudless day, because “no matter the sky, it sparkles with cheer, warmth and happiness.” “As Suffolk Peanut Fest Queen, I would be honored to represent those annual qualities of sunshine that Peanut Fest embodies,” she read from her essay aloud. “The strong sense of Suffolk community, the positive symbol that Mr. Peanut represents for people all over the world, and the lighthearted joy that Peanut Fest delivers to people all throughout Hampton Roads. “So without further ado, let the sun shine, it’s Peanut Fest time.”
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Freddie Gardner is 2019 chairman BY CLEO-SYMONE SCOTT INTERN
Nobody knows peanuts like Freddie Gardner. It’s no surprise, then, that he was chosen to be the 2019 Suffolk Peanut Fest chairman. Gardner’s initial venture into the Suffolk Peanut Fest began more than 19 years ago, when a friend invited him and his wife to volunteer. Over the years, Freddie has held many different roles, such as overseeing the “Goober Gang” — students handing out complimentary peanuts — to working on the electrical committee. In 2017, he was asked to be the vice chairman of the festival. Gardner was chairman in 2018 and again this year. Despite his many years working for the festival, his love for it is still as strong as ever. “I love all of it. I like seeing all the people that I haven’t seen in a while. I like the food. I love the entertainment,” he said. Gardner believes having an annual peanut festival reminds the community of its long farming history. “This used to be the world’s largest peanut market. Right now is the time of the year that farmers are in the field digging peanuts and packing peanuts,” he said. “It’s a good event for the city, and it lets people know that peanut fests are still around. Everybody tries to still support it.” Gardner is excited about all the new things people
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Freddie Gardner is the 2019 Peanut Festival chairman. He has been volunteering for the Peanut Fest for more than 19 years in various positions.
are going to see at this year’s festival. “We’re having a maze made out of hay for the kids,” he said. “There’s a lot of different things added in the kiddie area.” One thing he’s particularly excited for is the Clogging Jamboree, which will be on the main stage from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Jamboree will feature The Peanut City Cloggers of Suffolk and The Southern Sweethearts of Windsor. It will also feature David Baines as the official caller. “They’ll be clogging, then asking guests to clog with them if they’d like to,” said Gardner. Also new to this year’s festival is the butterfly encounter. Festivalgoers
can enjoy a screened-in butterfly exhibit featuring three species of butterflies. About 350 total butterflies will be on display. Attendees will have the opportunity to observe and feed them nectar. Aside from his Peanut Fest duties, Gardner stays busy farming part-time for RCR Farms. He also now oversees the daily operations of the Suffolk Shrine Club and is a member of McAlister No. 185 Masonic Lodge, Khedive Shriners, Khedive Color Guard, Suffolk Shrine Club, Franklin Shrine Club and Holland Ruritan Club. The Suffolk Peanut Festival’s theme this year is, “Let the Sun Shine, It’s Peanut Fest Time.”
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The Peanut Festival has become known for its many arts-related activities, including the chalk art contest.
Chalk it up at Peanut Festival BY CLEO-SYMONE SCOTT INNTERN
People will get to unleash their inner art-
ist during the chalk art competition at the 2019 Peanut Festival. Folks can take a break from other festival activ-
ities to enter the competition being put together by the Suffolk Art See CHALK, 16
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Festival Map
1. Site Entrance 2. Red Entrance Tent 3. Blue Entrance Tent 4. The Peanut Lounge 5. City Tent 6. Suffolk Art Gallery tent 7. Suffolk Ruritan Shrimp Feast tent 8. EMS 9. Information Booth 10. Caboose 11. Concessions Court 12. Amusement Rides & Carnival Games 13. Suffolk Peanut Fest Main Stage 14. Festival Office 15. Commercial Exhibits Tent 16. Arts & Crafts Tent 17. Harvest Family Stage 18. Family Area (pony & camel rides, petting zoo, diaper changing tent, etc.) 19. Parking area 20. Parking area 21. Peanut Fest site exit 22. Suffolk Police Headquarters
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Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 10
2 to 10:30 p.m. — Festival Open to Public Carload Day $40 (up to 8 people) Includes Admission & All-You-Can-Ride Wristbands Duke Automotive Information Booth Open All Hours Amusements and Games National Events Management presents Dreamland Amusements Rides & Games 3 to 7 p.m. — Suffolk Ruritan Club Shrimp Feast Shrimp Feast Area $35/person Advance Tickets Only. Music by The Embers.
Friday, October 11
10 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Festival Open to Public Free admission until noon Duke Automotive Information Booth Open All Hours Amusement Rides and Games National Events Management presents Dreamland Amusement Rides & Games Petting zoo, pony rides, monster truck rides and more! Kiddie Day Activities until noon in the Gooberland Family Area, including Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Bounce Houses and more! Senior Day Activities until 1 p.m. in The Peanut Lounge Harvest Family Stage Entertainment 10 a.m. — King’s Fork Middle School Orchestra & King’s Fork High School Orchestra
10:30 a.m. — King’s Fork Middle School Band & Chorus 11 a.m. — Col. Fred Cherry Middle School Band, Chorus & Orchestra 11:30 a.m. — John Yeates Middle School Chorus & Band Noon — Nansemond River High School Chorus 12:30 p.m. — Forest Glen Middle School Band & Chorus 1 p.m. — Forest Glen Middle School Orchestra & Lakeland High School Orchestra 1:30 p.m. — King’s Fork High School Chorus 2 p.m. — John F. Kennedy Middle School Band & Chorus The Peanut Lounge Entertainment 3:30 p.m. — Mojo Collins 5:30 p.m. — Jim Newsom & Gail Keller Smith 7:30 p.m. — H.M. Johnson Band Harvest Family Stage Entertainment 5 p.m. — Lost Soul Society 6:15 p.m. — Drew Dunn & Judy Hawkins 7:30 p.m. — Fueled by Faith 8:45 p.m. — OF ZION 7 p.m. — Demolition Derby at the Arena Area 9 p.m. — The Deloreans presented by Suffolk Tourism On the Main Stage
Saturday, October 12
10 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Festival Open to Public Ongoing Amusements & Entertainment National Events Management pres-
ents Dreamland Amusement Rides & Games Petting zoo, pony rides, monster truck rides and more! 10 am — Chalk Art Contest Produced by Suffolk Parks & Recreation 10:30 a.m.— Cornhole Tournament Registration 11 a.m. — Cornhole Tournament 11 a.m. — The Peanut Lounge Entertainment 11 a.m. — Band-It 1 p.m. — Karl Werne & Guest 3 p.m. — Luke Willette & The Show Me Band 5 p.m. — Black White & Blues Band Noon — Mud Jam at the Arena area
Harvest Family Stage Entertainment Noon — Allonge Dance Academy 2 p.m. — Virginia Fancy Feet 4 p.m. — SOCO Cloggers 5 p.m. — Dynamic Movement 6 p.m. — The Sunbury Thursday Night Band 7:15 p.m. — Karaoke Contest (Karaoke by Wayne Umphlett) 1 to 3 p.m.— Suffolk Peanut Fest Clogging Jamboree On the Main Stage 2 p.m. — World’s Only Peanut Butter Sculpture Contest 4 p.m. — Hot Wing Eating Contest 6 p.m. — Hot Wing Eating Contest 7 p.m. — CRAZY X BAND 8:30 p.m. — Fireworks Extravaganza Produced by Pyrotecnico 9 p.m. — Tony Jackson On the Main Stage
Sunday, October 13
9 a.m. — Swamp Roar Motorcycle Rally Registration 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Festival Open to the Public Military Appreciation Day — $5 admission with proper military ID Wristband Day — All-You-Can-Ride wristband $30 Duke Automotive Information Booth open all hours Amusements Rides and Games National Events Management presents Dreamland Amusement Rides & Games 10:45 a.m. — Swamp Roar Motorcycle Rally Send-off Produced by Tidewater Motorcycles 3 p.m. — Harvest Family Stage — Gospel Showcase Produced by Suffolk Parks & Recreation Featuring performances by 3-3:20 p.m. — Evangelist Angela Williams 3:30-3:50 p.m. — Olive Branch Baptist Church 4-4:20 p.m. — The Brothers in Christ from Franklin VA 4:30-4:50 p.m. — Pentecostal Followers of Christ 5-5:20 p.m. — The Jones Singers 3 p.m. — Chase Payne On the Main Stage 5:15 p.m. — Carly Pearce On the Main Stage
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The Peanut City Cloggers are one of two groups competing in the clogging jamboree during the 2019 Peanut Festival.
Clogging Jamboree set BY CLEO-SYMONE SCOTT INTERN
A new event is coming to the main stage at the Suffolk Peanut Festival. The Suffolk Peanut Fest Clogging Jamboree will feature the Peanut City Cloggers of Suffolk and the Southern Sweethearts of Windsor. David Baines will be the official caller. Peanut City Cloggers was founded in 1982 and has been performing since 1983. The team has traveled throughout Virginia as well as to Maryland, North Carolina and Tennessee for competitions. Several members of Peanut City Cloggers have been named to the All American Clogging Team as well as Team of the Decade. The group, which is currently ages 7 through adult, will be competing at the end of October at the American
Clogging Hall of Fame World Championship in Gatlinburg, Tenn. The Southern Sweethearts was formed in 2004 by director Amanda Drewry. The team has won overall titles in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Maryland. Many members, as well as Drewry, have been named to the All American Team. The Southern Sweethearts showcase a more contemporary feel of clogging. The Peanut City Cloggers and Southern Sweethearts will be performing a variety of clogging styles at the festival. “At the Peanut Festival we’re doing a two-hour event with our friends from Southern Sweethearts,” said Judi Lester, the managing director for Peanut City Cloggers. “Southern Sweethearts does a lot in the contemporary clog-
ging, and we do a lot in the traditional clogging, so we’ll really show everything that clogging has to offer in all of its forms,” “We use songs from artists like Lizzo or Eve, more pop, modern music,” said Drewry. “At the festival, you will see modern clogging. It’s not your stereotypical wooden shoes. The girls will have shiny costumes, popular music songs and precision.” Both teams are happy they get the chance to share their love of clogging with the crowds at the Peanut Festival. “We really thank the Peanut Fest committee and the Department of Tourism for sponsoring this and highlighting what is our passion,” said Lester. The Clogging Jamboree will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday on the main stage.
Best Wishes On Suffolk's 42nd Annual Peanut Festival Oct. 10 - 13
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Crazy X will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Peanut Festival.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2019 | 13
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Country legends on the Main Stage NAPA AUTO CARE CENTER & AAA APPROVED REPAIR CENTER Latest Technology In Wheel Alignment with Heavy Duty Lifting Capacity
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Carly Pearce, Chase Payne, Tony Jackson and other renowned and up-and-coming artists will perform at the 2019 Suffolk Peanut Festival Oct. 10-13. A girl from the small Kentucky town of Taylor Mill, Carly Pearce is a 20-something whose current hit is “Every Little Thing.” She left high school early to pursue music and worked shows at Dollywood at 16 years old, chased bluegrass festivals and even broke up with a boyfriend who was making her choose between him and music, all to pursue her dream of being a country star. “I think what I’ve lived and am writing about has happened to everyone,” Pearce says. “Raw, real, I’m not trying to hide anything. And I think by sharing my struggles, whether you’re a young girl or someone my age or my mom’s, you’re either going to experience it, are going through it or
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Chase Payne will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Peanut Festival.
already have. “But you’re going to know there’s truth here, because these songs are snapshots. There are musical clips of where I’ve gone, where I want to go, what I want out
of relationships and my expectations out of life. I’m learning I’m OK — and at 27, this is exactly who I am.” Pearce says she has See STAGE, 17
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The Suffolk Ruritan Club Shrimp Feast is one of the highlights of the Peanut Festival every year, featuring all-you-can-eat shrimp, barbecue, sides and fixings.
Endless shrimp is back at festival
BY CLEO-SYMONE SCOTT INTERN
It may be called the Peanut Festival, but most festival goers on Thursday will be focused on nothing but shrimp. With tons of shrimp everywhere, it will be hard to stay hungry while walking around the Suffolk Ruritan Club’s Shrimp Feast, which is the traditional kick-off to the Peanut Festival. Not only will there be all-you-caneat seasoned shrimp, but also there will be North Carolina barbecue, coleslaw, iced tea, wine, beer and cocktails. But event chairman Jimmy Franks believes
there’s more to the feast than food. “You meet a lot of people, you have a good time, but the main thing is, you help people. And not only do we help people, we also honor the veterans and first responders, which is a big part of everybody’s life,” said Franks, who has been working with the Shrimp Feast for 39 years. “And not only do you have fun doing it, you’re giving out money to people who need it,” he continued. “People don’t realize that our members meet a lot of people that you would never expect needed anything, but it comes a time in life when they do.”
Helping people is the real purpose of the Shrimp Feast. The feast has given away around $3 million since its start, Franks said. Proceeds from the feast have supported several local organizations over the years, such as Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls Club of Suffolk, Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk, Suffolk Humane Society, and other charities and scholarship programs that help Suffolk citizens. Franks said ticket sales went better this year than they have in a long time. He says much of this has to do with them reachSee SHRIMP, 17
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Homemade crafts like those above and below will be featured at the Peanut Festival.
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Homemade goods galore at festival BY CLEO-SYMONE SCOTT INTERN
The Arts & Crafts exhibit will make a return to the Suffolk Peanut Festival this year, giving people the chance to do some early Christmas shopping and pick up some unique items. “We have a wide variety and a good assortment of vendors this year. I’m really excited about it,” said Kate Rawls, the arts and crafts coordinator. Rawls is a Suffolk native who lived in Suffolk her entire life until a couple years ago. Now, the Washington, D.C., resident runs the arts and crafts exhibit from D.C. She works on getting the vendors year round, then takes two weeks off of her job to come down and help set up See HOMEMADE, 16
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Chalk: Fun competition
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Gallery. Festivalgoers of all ages are invited to participate. The competition is divided into four divisions: elementary school, middle school, high school, and adult. Each division will be judged together. A first, second and third place will be selected from each division. Standard sidewalk chalk will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own. A 2’x4’ plaster-type board will be provided on which to create the design. The competition will be judged by the Peanut Fest Queen and her Court. The Queen and Court
will judge the artwork based upon first impression, portrayal of contest theme, creativity and use of color. Cash prizes in first, second and third places will be awarded in each division. All art made for the competition must coincide with the 2019 Peanut Festival’s theme: “Let the Sun Shine, It’s Peanut Fest Time.” “It’s up to the artist’s interpretation, but as long as it kind of ties into the theme,” said Angela Reavis, cultural arts coordinator. The art gallery will also have a tent at the festival where people can make crafts.
“The Suffolk Art Gallery tent is also like the arts and crafts tent. We’ll have promotional items for the gallery. We’ll also be making crafts that anyone who wants to participate in can. So, since the theme this year is ‘Let the Sun Shine, It’s Peanut Fest Time,’ we’re doing sunflower sun catchers,” said Reavis. Although pre-registration has ended for the competition, participants are still able to register the day of the competition at the Peanut Fest. The chalk art competition will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the festival.
Homemade: Crafts for sale Continued from page 15
and work the festival. Rawls is looking forward to several new vendors joining the festival for the first time, a few returning after taking a few years off and many faithful patrons of the arts and crafts exhibit at the festival. Rawls said some vendors have been with the Peanut Festival for 20 years. “We have over 20 unique handmade and homemade vendors joining the festival this year. These artists have been perfecting their crafts for years and definitely bring their best work to our show,” said Rawls. “We have a healthy mix of homemade soaps, jewelry, doll clothes, home décor and much more. We also have a healthy mix of crafts and goods in all price ranges.” Festivalgoers will also
be able to purchase cornhole boards, signs, crochet goods, custom-made American flags, stainless steel tumblers and more. The Suffolk Peanut Festival now draws around 125,000 people. Rawls is excited that arts and crafts vendors get the chance to share their homemade items with such a large platform. “The arts and crafts exhibit at the festival is important, because it gives the local artisans a chance to display their work,” she
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said. “Arts and crafts is a hard industry to be in, and I think we do a good job of displaying them and giving them a space to set up. “Suffolk has a really good market to sell their goods in. So each year we get kudos for having some of their highest grossing weekends,” Rawls continued. “I applaud the festivalgoers for coming and being willing to purchase from our vendors. I also appreciate the vendors that come in to continue their craft and sell at our festival.”
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Shrimp: Helps support charities Continued from page 14
ing out in places that they haven’t before. “We’re reaching out a lot further than we ever have,” he said. “We’ve got a friend who’s a disc jockey who operates in Norfolk, so we’ve got a
lot of exposure in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Chesapeake.” Performing at the event will be The Embers, a beach band that has been inducted into the South Carolina Rhythm and
Blues Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame. Franks believes this great event will entertain everyone and help the Ruritan Club put money back into the community.
Stage: Entertainment all weekend Continued from page 13
already achieved her dream. “From the time I was 4 years old, all I talked about was singing at The Opry. It was in my bones. And now, I’m nearing my 50th performance. It seems both surreal and natural.” Pearce will take the stage at 5:15 p.m. Sunday to close out the festival. Playing at 3 p.m. Sunday, Chase Payne is a country music phenom who was born and raised in Virginia Beach. He has been playing guitar since the age of 5, and currently is enjoying success with his single “Taillights.” He’s been named the 2018 Male Rising Star of the Year. Payne counts artists like Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Travis Tritt, Brooks and Dunn and George Strait among his influences. He performed more than 130 shows in 2018 and is burning a trail on the internet radio market as well. Rolling Stone magazine called Tony Jackson’s single “Country Road” among the 10 Best Country and Americana Songs to Hear Now. Since his highly praised May 2017 debut album
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The Deloreans will be featured at 9 p.m. Friday at the Peanut Festival.
release, Jackson has been invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry and CMA Fest. His new eponymous album features songs and performances by legends such as Vince Gill, Bill Anderson and Conway Twitty. Jackson is almost certainly the only major bank executive ever to abandon a prominent IT job in finance at a Fortune 500 company to embark on a career in country music. But he didn’t grow up a country fan. Two weeks after graduating from high school, Jackson joined the Marines. It was while in the Marines that he first started paying serious attention to country music. “In the Marine Corps, when my friends and I played music for each other, we were all homesick,” he says. “So when you’d listen to these country songs that talked about family and home and
heartbreak, it would really grab you.” Jackson will play at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Main Stage schedule is rounded out by Crazy X Band earlier Saturday and The Deloreans on Friday, making it a can’tmiss schedule of entertainment. Playing at 7 p.m. Saturday, Crazy X is a kickin’ “Rock ‘n Country Showband” that has had the privilege of entertaining both young and young at heart since 2007. Fans can look forward to an experience complete with a fully produced light show and state-of-the-art sound. At 9 p.m. Friday, The Deloreans will bring their show-stopping rhythms to the stage. The Deloreans are known for their dynamic ’80s costumes, unstoppable energy and their ability to bring down the house every time.
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Fest photos from 2018
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