Peanut Fest 2021 by Suffolk News-Herald

SUFFOLK NEWS-HERALD

2021 Peanut Fest Wednesday, October 6, 2021

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The party is back The 43rd annual Suffolk Peanut Festival is back this year after a hiatus due to the pandemic. We couldn’t be more excited to experience all the sights, sounds, scents and flavors of the Peanut Festival once again. We missed the sound of peanut shells crunching underfoot, feeling the crisp fall air, hearing the screams of delight from carnival rides and the rocking music coming from the main stage, tasting shrimp and corndogs and candy apples and kettle corn, and seeing all of the exhibits and fireworks. Indeed, the Peanut Festival is back this year, and we think it will be a great one. There are a few changes, with new

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vendors, new activities and a totally tubular ’80s theme. We think everyone — whether it’s going to be their first time at the Peanut Fest, or their 40th time — will find an old favorite, a new favorite, and lots of other things to enjoy. Flip through these pages to learn more about what’s new this year, the Queen and her Court, and the hard work of many volunteers who have pulled this festival together in only about one-third of the time they typically do after getting the green light early this summer. We know you’ll walk away with a new appreciation for the festival — and a hankering for some peanuts.

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Bodacious Contents Radical Princesses• Princesses• • • • • • • • • • • • 4-5 Cool Queen • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 6 Party in the Back • • • • • • • • • • • • 7 Chairman Theresa Earles• Earles • • • • • • • • • 9 Schedule • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10 A lap around the rink• rink• • • • • • • • • • • 12 What's New • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14 Plenty of food • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16 Totally tubular entertainment• • • • • • entertainment • • • • • • 19 Demolition derby returns• • • • • • • • returns • • • • • • • • 20 Vendors prepared • • • • • • • • • • • • 22

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Radica l s e s s e c n i r P

Morgan Holloman

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King’s Fork High School

Hannah Bass

Lakeland High School

Savannah Stevenson

M o r g a n Holloman has participated in junior varsity field hockey, has been the captain for junior varsity and varsity volleyball, Future Business Leaders of America and Fellowship of Christian Athletes at King’s Fork. She is employed at Tropical Smoothie Cafe and participated in Western Branch Summer League volleyball. She is an honors student and member of the National Honor Society. She has volunteered for the Night Stay Program with the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk and participated in the Nursing Careers and Pathways Program.

Hannah Bass has been involved in volleyball, softball, horseback riding and 4-H camp, where she was a counselor. She works at Chickfil-A in downtown Suffolk and has volunteered for the Salvation Army soup kitchen as well as Vacation Bible School with her church. She is a Nansemond Indian Nation member and has worked concessions at the annual powwow. She has been honored many times on the Principal’s List, with MVP awards for both travel and high school softball, and for her horse showing. She also won a showmanship award for a hog showing for Chesapeake 4-H.

S a v a n n a h Stevenson has been involved in Civil Air Patrol, where she is Cadet Chief Master Sergeant, was awarded the Air Force Association Outstanding CAP Squadron Cadet Award. She is a graduate of the NCO Academy, 2018 Honor Guard College, 2019 Advanced Honor Guard College, and has completed five orientation flights. She also participates in horseback riding, soccer, hunting, fishing and more. She has been honored on the A/B honor roll throughout school, and won honorable mention in poetry and third place in mixed-media art at the Suffolk Sister Cities International art exhibit.

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A’lauren Gilchrist

Dori Mitchell

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Sydney Basnight

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Jadyn Patton

Nansemond River High School

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

Suffolk Christian Academy

A ’ l a u r e n Gilchrist has been the Red Diamond Majorette captain in the Nansemond River High School Magnificent Marching Warrior Band. She is also part of the Journalism Club and helped created the school yearbook. She designs and makes jewelry for her own small business, “Amethyst Jewelry — Unique NOT Generic.” She is on the 2022 Student Advisory Board and holds the title of public relations officer, was a top 100 semifinalist in the Amazon Engineer “Your VOICE is Power” competition under Pharrell Williams, and leads worship at her church, Reborn to Live Ministries with pastors LeRon and Antoinette Gilchrist.

Dori Mitchell has played flute in band and marching band. She is a member of the Haitian Awareness Club, serving as vice president and treasurer, and also vice president of the Connecting with Kids Club. She has been assistant to the athletic trainer, participating in varsity swimming and varsity track. She has been honored on the Academic High Honors List, HOBY Youth Leadership Representative, Princeton Book Award nominee, Washington & Lee Book Award recipient, graduation usher and more. She has volunteered at the Windsor Pet Hospital, Salvation Army, Suffolk CAPS and Keep Suffolk Beautiful. She participates in the youth group at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church and attends Oakland Christian Church.

Sydney Basnight participates in horseback riding, soccer, National Beta Club where she is the vice president, and has a parttime hosting job for Gianna’s Pizzeria. She occasionally shows horses in several different events and was co-captain of her school soccer team last year. In the 2019-20 school year, she was awarded best in American Sign Language throughout the entire high school, having completed that course a month before the end of the school year. She serves her community with spaghetti and barbecue dinners at her local community center.

Jadyn Patton has been a National Beta Club member the last three years and has been club secretary and is club president. She was sophomore class vice president and junior class president. She was on the homecoming court in ninth and 10th grades, a Student Government Association member as well as secretary and vice president, was captain of the varsity soccer, basketball and volleyball teams, participated in Golden Ball Soccer Academy and was the senior editor of the school yearbook the last two years. She has earned many awards for sports, leadership, Christian character and academics and been involved in Operation Suffolk, Serve the City, missions trips and more.

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Girls State, and served as a technology intern and on the prom committee at NSA. She has also participated in Concert Band and Jazz Band, the Haitian Awareness Club, Quiz Bowl, Fellowship of Christian Students, and on the Legacy Lacrosse Fall Ball and Lady Cougars Travel Basketball teams. She participated in varsity cross country, varsity indoor track, varsity lacrosse and varsity basketball. She served on the worship band at First Baptist Church. At school, she has won multiple awards for academics, sports and leadership, as well as being named secretary or treasurer of her class in each year of high school. She has participated in Van com- Haislip Van Haislip munity service including a missionFinancial trip Advisor Financial Advisor to Haiti two years ago, Mission FUGE, 3300 Tyre Neck Rd Suite3300 L Tyre Neck Rd Suite L Operation Suffolk and more. Portsmouth, VA 23703 Portsmouth, VA 23703 Abigail Conrod’s “Party in the Back,” 757-483-3204 757-483-3204 her clever interpretation of this year’s festival theme: “Music, Mullets & Motorsports: A Totally ’80s Vibe,” is reproduced on page 7. MKT-1952G-A

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Conrod named Peanut Fest Queen The Suffolk Peanut Fest Queen was crowned during a Sept. 27 ceremony at the Suffolk Visitor Center Pavilion. Queen Abigail Conrod from Nansemond-Suffolk Academy is the latest addition to Suffolk Peanut Fest royalty, and her Court is composed of Savannah Stevenson and Hannah Bass (Lakeland High School), Dori Mitchell (Nansemond-Suffolk Academy), Sydney Basnight and Jadyn Patton (Suffolk Christian Academy), Morgan Holloman (King’s Fork High School), and A’lauren Gilchrist (Nansemond River High School). The individuals chosen to be a part of this hometown tradition must be rising high school seniors at a Suffolk school. Each candidate submits a creative essay reflecting on the current festival theme along with information about academics, activities, awards, achievements and community involvement. Conrod has been a member of the Student Council, participated in Virginia

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Party in the Back

BY ABIGAIL CONROD SUFFOLK PEANUT FEST QUEEN

“Business in the front, party in the back” are eight words I still hear today. They are normally used to describe the mullet hairstyle that I assume every person’s dad had in the ’80s. In a time of U2’s “Joshua Tree” and Tim Richmond winning the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, that seemed to be the go-to hair style. Even in the city of Suffolk, the ’80s was a time of surprising change, excitement and growth. For Suffolk in that same time period, it not only meant mullets, but also Hope Spivey competing in the 1988 Olympics, a photo of mayor Andy Damiani in the Suffolk News-Herald eating peanut pie to promote the 1985 Peanut Fest, and the term “Surprising Suffolk” being coined for the very first time. Meanwhile, the four original Suffolk high schools, Suffolk High, Forest Glen, John F. Kennedy and John Yeates, were entering their last years as high schools as Lakeland and Nansemond River were soon to open in their place. A walk through downtown could mean a visit to Leggett’s department store to ride the escalator, a visit to Woolworth’s to shop

for school supplies, a stop for lunch at the Nansemond Drug lunch counter, or a fancy dinner at the Front Street Restaurant. Not only that, but the ’80s also meant Suffolk citizens enjoying a day at the fair each year at the annual Suffolk Peanut Fest. Now, after a brief reprieve due to Covid, Suffolk citizens are once again able to enjoy that same fair, and we are celebrating 80 years since the first ever Peanut Fest with a fun and exciting “80s” theme to go along with this year’s 43rd annual fest. As a third generation Suffolkian, I’m excited to attend the fest that has been entertaining my family for many years. At the fest, we can expect to see many of the things we’ve grown to love, from the fried Oreos to the monster trucks, to the many stages filled with local and national talent. With the music and motorsports that we are bound to see and hear at the Peanut Fest, it would only make sense that we will once again see boys walking around with the mullets that have made a comeback in recent years. In all, whether you are attending the fest in 1985 or in 2021, you can bet you will have a great time at the Suffolk Peanut Fest!

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Theresa Earles gets a second chance as Peanut Fest chairman BY RACHEL AUSTIN STAFF WRITER

After not being able to serve her term last year, Theresa Earles is proudly planning away as the 2021 Suffolk Peanut Fest chairman. Earles has been involved in Suffolk’s Peanut Fest beginning in 2003 when she joined Suffolk Tourism. Her duties slowly evolved from behind-the-scenes and involved a lot of marketing and creating images. She has served on the festival’s executive committee since 2011 and has been on the board of directors for six years. “Serving as Suffolk Peanut Fest chairman is an honor,” said Earles. “I feel like all the years working with the festival have led to this role and I am grateful for the confidence bestowed upon me by my fellow volunteers.” Her term as chairman had a rough start, as the 2020 Suffolk Peanut Fest was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, due to restrictions at the beginning of 2021, the festival executive committee did not get the all-clear to plan for its fall event until June. According to Earles, this was several months after planning usually begins. However, everyone jumped on board immediately, and plans quickly came together for the event. “After the heartbreak of canceling last year and the struggles of 2020, we knew the community would appreciate an opportunity to celebrate Suffolk, to share Peanut Fest traditions with their families, and to experience some level of normalcy,” said Earles. Earles is looking forward to getting back to the festival site. This year has a fun 1980s theme that has brought

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PROUD TO SUPPORT SUFFOLK'S P-NUT FEST! new music and attractions for families to enjoy. She also is excited about the partnership with Food Lion for a canned food drive and the Red Cross for a blood drive to serve the community. “I really hope people enjoy this year spending quality time with their loved ones, making memories and creating traditions that will last a lifetime,” said Earles. “I hope they remember singing along to the bands, the sugar rush from a hot funnel cake, the view of Suffolk from atop the Ferris wheel, the banging and crashing of the demolition derby cars and that feeling of community pride as they realize that this incredible threeday event was produced for their enjoyment by volunteers and community partners.”

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Suffolk Peanut Fest 2021 Schedule

Friday, October 8

Saturday, October 9

Sunday, October 10

Festival Open to Public 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Duke Automotive Information Booth open all hours Ongoing amusements, games, monster truck rides, petting zoo, pony rides, straw maze 10 a.m. to noon — Kiddie Day 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. — All Year Sports Galaxy Roller Skating 3 p.m. — Suffolk Ruritan Club Shrimp Feast; Shrimp Feast area open until 7 p.m.; tickets $35 per person (must be purchased in advance)

Festival Open to Public 9 a.m. to 11p.m. Duke Automotive Information Booth open all hours Ongoing amusements, games, monster truck rides, petting zoo, pony rides, straw maze 10 a.m.to 9 p.m. — All Year Sports Galaxy Roller Skating 10 a.m. — Chalk Art Contest 2 p.m. — World’s Only Peanut Butter Sculpture Contest 8:30 p.m. — Peanut Fest Fireworks Extravaganza

9 a.m. — Staging of Bikes Suffolk Peanut Fest Swamp Roar Motorcycle Rally

Peanut Stage Entertainment

Main Stage Entertainment

10 a.m. — Col Fred Cherry Middle School Orchestra, Band & Choir 10:30 a.m. — King’s Fork Middle School Band, Choir & Orchestra 11 a.m. — King’s Fork High School Orchestra 11:30 p.m. — Forest Glen Middle School Band 12 p.m. — John F. Kennedy Middle School Choir 12:30 p.m. — Nansemond River High School Jazz Band, Choir 1 p.m. — King’s Fork High School Choir

Main Stage Entertainment

9 p.m. — Chase & Ovation — A Salute to the Music of Prince

2:30 p.m. — Gone Country (Knoxville’s Premier ’80-’90s Country Cover Band) 4:30 p.m. — Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute Band 7 p.m. — DEJA 9 p.m. — Yellow Brick Road — A Tribute to Elton John

Peanut Stage Entertainment

11 a.m. — Magician 1 p.m. — JuJu Drum with Krya LaVonne 3 p.m. — Clogging Jamboree 5 p.m. — Luke Willette Band Country Music

Festival Open to the Public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Duke Automotive Information Booth open all hours Amusements rides, games, monster truck rides, and petting zoo, pony rides, straw maze Military Appreciation Day — $5 off admission with ID Wristband Day — All-You-Can-Ride wristband $30 ($5 off coupon available at Suffolkpeanutfest.com 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — All Year Sports Galaxy Roller Skating 10:30 a.m. — Suffolk Peanut Fest Motorcycle Rally 10:30 a.m. — Cornhole Tournament Registration 11 a.m. — Cornhole Tournament

Main Stage Entertainment

2:30 p.m. — The Deloreans 5 p.m. — Frontiers — The Ultimate Journey Tribute Band

Peanut Stage Entertainment

11 a.m. — Dream Entertainers 1 p.m. — Griffin Lane 5 p.m. — Rob Oliver

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A lap around the rink BY RACHEL AUSTIN STAFF WRITER

The Suffolk Peanut Fest could not have a true and total 1980s vibe without offering guests a few laps around a roller rink. Being an iconic part of the decade, the 2021 Suffolk Peanut Fest is hosting a roller rink from All Year Sports Galaxy, who specializes in bringing the roller rinks of the ’70s and ’80s to any event. The rink is free to Peanut Fest goers who want to participate in this radical attraction. “Enjoy the quintessential 1980s activity,” said Theresa Earles, 2021 Suffolk Peanut Fest chairman. The rink rental station will provide hand sanitizer to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other seasonal viruses and germs. Then, the participant will make their way to the iPad station, where the participant or guardian will sign an electronic waiver to get the fun

started. The skater can then provide their shoe size to rent a pair of skates. Folks can bring their own skates, but they will have to be checked by the rink employees and be approved before they’re allowed onto the rink. The participants will take their skates over to the designated area to put them on and prepare for a trip back in time. Then the festivalgoers can get to skating to the music and lights to totally soak up the 1980s vibe of the weekend. The skater will be able to be on the rink for a significant amount of time, but the actual time limit will vary. “The skating limit will depend on how busy the rink is,” said Earles. “The skate times will range from 30 minutes to up to 1 hour.” After their skating time, folks can get back to enjoying the performances, rides, food, vendors and fun waiting for them at the Peanut Fest.

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What’s new for this year? BY RACHEL AUSTIN STAFF WRITER

After missing a year of celebration in 2020, the 2021 Suffolk Peanut Fest is back with new experiences for folks to enjoy. This year’s event has a radical theme that will have the whole city ready for a party. “This year’s theme is ‘Music, Mullets & Motorsports: A Totally ’80s Vibe,’ so we’re celebrating a decade best known for bright colors, big hair, awesome music and a lot less technology,” said Theresa Earles, the 2021 Peanut Fest Chairman. This 1980s party will rock the city for only three days instead of the usual four. But Suffolk shouldn’t worry, because all the fun will still be there. The schedule has shifted to encompass fewer days but will still allow the Suffolk Ruritan Club Shrimp Feast, now on Friday night from 3 to 7 p.m. Keeping the emphasis on motorsports, the Demolition Derby and kid’s power wheel derby will still be present. The kid’s derby will be at 11 a.m., with the Demolition Derby at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday — also a new day and time. “No more rushing after work on Friday nights to get to the fest site in time for the Derby,” said Earles. “We’re opening the fest gates at 9 a.m. Saturday to allow for early seating.” A notable new element is a bigger

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and better straw maze. However, it’s not just any straw maze. This one has been tricked out to have a Pac-Man theme taking guests on a journey normally found at an arcade. Also showcased at this year’s event is the Open Air Peanut Lounge. This lounge includes a full stage with sound, lights and seating for guests to enjoy a meal or watch a show. Various performers will take the stage at the lounge, including live music from Suffolk school groups, local bands, solo musicians, dance groups, magic and the Peanut Fest Clogging Jamboree. Folks can even get involved in the performances during THANKS Totally ’80s Karaoke and a sing-along FOR THE princess show with meet and greets. Art-Ventures will be there with an CONFIDENCE Imagination Station. To participate, all folks have to bring is their imagination. • Dr. Steve A. Gwaltney YOU’VE Guests can create and customize their • Dr. J. Ryland Gwaltney SHOWN own paper bag hand puppet or a paper plate masquerade mask. This event is IN US! • Dr. Whitney B. Gwaltney free throughout the weekend for anyone Dr. J. Ryland Gwaltney Dr. Whitney B. Gwaltney Dr. Steve A. Gwaltney wanting to take a creative break. • Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry • Digital Imaging and Photography THOSE WHO CONTINUE “We have a lot of fun activities and • Cosmetic Implant Dentistry • Digital ImagingDr.and Photography • Compassionate Experienced Staff •andGentle, Pain Free Dentistry Dr. J. Ryland Gwaltney Dr. Whitney B. Gwaltney Steve A. Gwaltney ON THE FRONT LINES • Compassionate Experienced Staff • Gentle, Pain Free Dentistry changes in store for festival-goers this TO WORK • Ask About Our Whitening Special • Same Day Crowns DURING THE CORONA CRISIS • Ask• Cosmetic About Ourand Whitening Special ••Same Day Crowns THOSE WHO CONTINUE year,” said Earles. Implant Dentistry Digital Imaging and Photography • Comprehensive Dental Care• Comprehensive for Adults, Adolescents And Children Dental Care forStaff Adults, Adolescents Children TO WORK ON THE FRONT LINES • Compassionate Experienced • Gentle, Pain FreeAnd Dentistry Other attractions include a roller • DURING Nitrous THE Oxide Sedation for Apprehensive Patients • Nitrous Oxide Sedation for Apprehensive Patients CORONA CRISIS • Ask About Our Whitening Special • Same Day Crowns rink, concerts, Touch-a-Truck and a • Comprehensive Dental Care for Adults, Adolescents And Children Tomahawk Toss. 2486 Pruden 460) 2486 Pruden Blvd.(Route (Rout • Nitrous Oxide Sedation forBlvd. Apprehensive Patients460) This year, the 2021 Suffolk Peanut Suffolk SuffolkProfessional Professional Center Center Fest has something for everyone as the 2486 Pruden Blvd. (Rout 460) www.gwaltneydentistry.com city celebrates being back together after Suffolk Professional Center We accept most Call 539-3021 a long year of being apart. Celebrating 38 Years of Dental Health www.gwaltneydentistry.com insurance plans. For Appointment

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Plenty of food to go around BY JIMMY LAROUE STAFF WRITER

This year’s Peanut Fest promises to pack a big punch in people’s palates, but with fewer food vendors. And one new vendor is sure to stand out — the Virginia Diner in Wakefield. It will be bringing its own food truck to the event and offering its fare of fried chicken, barbecue and more. Angie Twiford, who has been coordinating the food vendors as the assistant director of Peanut Fest, said with less time to put on the festival coupled with staffing shortages that have plagued festival vendors and other businesses, it will have about 14 food vendors for the three-day festival taking place Oct. 8-10. “We usually have right-much more, almost double,” Twiford said, “but I guess with the COVID and everything, a lot of them are scared. One of my best and greatest retired this year because … he lost his best help and he just went on and retired this year. We’re really going to miss him, and that’s what’s happening to a lot of them.” Twiford said many of them are having difficulty merely staffing their restaurants, especially family-run places. Still, much of the familiar fare will be at the festival, including turkey legs, funnel cakes, hamburgers and hot dogs. “There’s going to be really busy and everything,” Twiford said, “but we have a good variety.” Among the vendors will be B&D Catering, El Burrito Loco Streetz, Fireside Kettlecorn, Funtastic Foods

LLC, Knights of Columbus Suffolk Council, Kona Ice of Chesapeake, Pennsylvania Dutch Funnel Cake, Rudy’s, Sausage King, Sherri’s Crab Cakes, Spuds, Suffolk Moose Lodge and Wensil’s Concessions. Twiford said that while the lines might be a little longer, it’ll be worth the wait. “We still have a lot of good foods that people are looking for,” Twiford said. “I just heard from other fairs that business was pushing them out the door. They can hardly handle it all.” She intends to warn all of the festival’s food vendors, including her husband at the Moose Lodge. “I already warned him,” Twiford said. “I said, ‘you be ready for it’ because you’re going to be really, really busy.” Because the Moose Lodge and the Knights of Columbus are non-profits, they keep their prices lower than other food vendors, which usually keeps their lines steady and long. “They’re probably going to be longer because their prices are better,” Twiford said. “If you’ve got a family of four you’re trying to feed hamburgers or hot dogs, those are the places you want to go.” Twiford will still take her traditional walk around Peanut Fest, taking in the aromas from those vendors, and then spoiling herself with a funnel cake. “I’m going to have one before the event’s over,” Twiford said. “I’m going to have one at least. I’ll probably only eat half of that. … We’ll be sharing it around because none of us can eat all of it, (but) I do love a funnel cake.”

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Best Wishes On Suffolk's 43rd Annual Peanut Festival Oct. 8 - 10

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Totally tubular entertainment for the fest BY RACHEL AUSTIN STAFF WRITER

When thinking of the 1980s, many aspects of the decade stand out. One of the most prominent ones is its music. The 2021 Peanut Fest is ready to jam with bands that will bring back everyone’s favorite hits from the 1980s. “Our concerts will feature nationally touring tribute acts bringing us the music of artists like Prince; Elton John; Earth, Wind & Fire; Journey and more,” said Theresa Earles, the 2021 Suffolk Peanut Fest chairman. “We’ll have country, pop, rock and acoustic music all weekend.” The first act to take the main stage pays tribute to a true music icon. At 9 p.m. on Oct. 8, Chase & Ovation will take the stage with their celebration of the music of Prince. The lead, Tommy Chase, has done numerous performances with members of Prince’s band and is known for his accurate representation of the late singer. On Saturday, a whole lineup of bands are ready to party like it’s 1989. Starting the day at 2:30 p.m. is Gone Country, who will bring the best of 1980s country music. The next act at 4:40 p.m. is a

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tribute to the band Earth, Wind & Fire. To fill any fan-favorite gaps, at 7 p.m. Deja will play all the favorites from the 1980s. In one concert, folks will get all their favorites from Aerosmith’s “Dream On” to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and more, including iconic songs from Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Styx, Kansas, The Who, Genesis and Rush. Finishing out the night is a tribute to one more icon from the 1908s at 9 p.m. with Yellow Brick Road: A Tribute to Elton John. The jams continue through Sunday at 2:30 p.m. with The Deloreans in their dynamic ’80s costumes followed by Frontiers: The Ultimate Journey Tribute Band at 5 p.m. “When selecting musical acts, I really wanted to find music with a broad appeal, music that we all know the words to and can sing along,” said Earles. Other bands will take the smaller stag- ln-Home ln-Home Care Care Services Services es, too, throughout the weekend with • Personal • Personal carecare performances from JuJu Drum featuring • Companionship • Companionship andand housekeeping housekeeping Kyra LaVonne , Luke Willette Band, • Dementia • Dementia andand Alzheimer's Alzheimer's care care • Respite carecare Magical Princess Sing-Along, Griffin • Respite • Safety • Safety solutions solutions Lane and Rob Oliver. These performances will have Suffolk rocking out and dancing all weekend.

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Demolition derby returns to Peanut Fest BY JIMMY LAROUE STAFF WRITER

It’s like night and day, literally, for the demolition derby’s return to Peanut Fest. When the event was last held in 2019, it took place on a Friday night in a standing-room-only packed arena. This year, the event has been moved to a daytime Saturday slot Oct. 9 to accommodate the Suffolk Ruritan Club’s Shrimp Feast, which is moving from Thursday due to the event being only three days this year. “Normally it’s on Friday, but with the shrimp feast on Friday, we decided to put the demolition derby on Saturday morning at 11:30,” said Peanut Fest Chairwoman Theresa Earles. “Also, just because Friday nights, it’s always really difficult for people to get off work, rush home, get their families and get to the demolition derby on time to get seats, food and all that good stuff. Hopefully, moving it to Saturday will eliminate some of that rush.” Earles said Peanut Fest gates would open at 9 a.m. instead of the normal 10 a.m. to allow people to get in early and find the best seat in the Suffolk Festivals Arena, since the seats typically fill up quickly.

Participants can compete in the stock compact and stock full-size categories, and there will be $3,650 in cash prizes awarded. There will also be a Power Wheels derby for kids at 11 a.m. before the demolition derby starts. On Sunday, Peanut Fest will debut a new event, the Peanut Cup Dirt Track Auto Race, which Earles says fits in well with the motorsports theme. Also Sunday will be the Swamp Roar Motorcycle Rally, consisting of an 80-mile ride around the Great Dismal Swamp, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Suffolk Executive Airport. The event costs $20 per driver and $10 per passenger. With no change to the cost of admission and the desire of many to return to some normalcy during the coronavirus pandemic, Earles expects to see big crowds over the course of the three-day event. “I think everyone’s just really excited to get back out there and get back out to the site,” Earles said. “We invite the community back, and hopefully people from all around the region will come. It might be their first Peanut Fest, or it might be their 40th, but we’re going to have a great time.”

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Benson Alpaca Meadows, off of CALL Mineral Spring Road, is coming and is ANYTIME expected to give a shearing demonstraTypical planning for Peanut Fest tion, while Birdsong Peanuts is a returnbegins the moment the previous one ing vendor that will be showcasing the finishes, so to only have four months put city’s agricultural heritage. Tomahawk organizers in happy scramble mode — Toss, also based off of Mineral Spring most thankful to be putting on the event, Road and serving the greater Hampton but having to hustle to put all the pieces Roads area, will have knife, ax and spear throwing within its 6PM-7PM own contained unit. together. Classes held Monday “Ax throwing has become very popuTheresa Earles, festival chairwoman, Thursday Earles said. 12 Noon said without having any festival staff lar,” 11AM• VISA The vendors offer yet another element due to furloughs last year after the 2020 Kyle L. Eastable Suffolk Recreation Center to find something unique to • MASTER CARD event was canceled, they weren’t to for people Barlow and buy while at Peanut do advance planning, but6th once St. it gotSuffolk, the do, experience • AMERICAN 138 S. VA Assistant, Vee Austin Fest. go-ahead, they “hit the ground running.” EXPRESS Owner eastoverservice@verizon.net “We haveWhite so many supporters and so “In the last few months,CL we’ve Evelyn Wall, DJputPleasure (music) together an amazing festival,” Earles many different vendors that are comInstructor 276 Benton Rd., Suffolk, VA | (757) 539-9312 Earles said.539-5507 said. “And I think people willPLEASE still be ing,”CALL: Instructor Earles, who took part in the peanut pleased. I’m sure there are a lot of folks like me who are tired of being at home butter sculpting contest during the last and are looking forward to getting out festival in 2019, could not contain herEvelyn Wall, and experiencing some sense of nor- self to just vendors. Talking to Earles ELECTRICAL REPAIRS • A/C AND HEATING REPAIRS • TUNE-UPS Instructor malcy, and hopefully, Peanut Fest can is akin to taking a brisk, virtual walk STEERING AND SUSPENSION • STARTERS AND ALTERNATORS Instructor through the festival, and she can’t go provide that.” FUEL INJECTION SERVICE • ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE Besides the entertainment, food and without expressing a deep appreciation DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE AND MORE • TOWING AVAILABLE music that accompany this year’s theme for the event’s sponsors and volunteers. OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE • GUARANTEED REPAIRS “Our sponsors have really come of “Music, Mullets & Motorsports — a STATE INSPECTIONS Totally ’80s Vibe!,” a plethora of exhibi- through for us this year,” Earles said. tors and merchants, arts and crafters and “We weren’t certain how it was going outside exhibitors will be at the festival. to shake out, but we really have some They run the gamut of businesses, orga- devoted sponsorship come in to support the festival and community efforts, and nizations and individuals. Highlighting a few among the many, we really couldn’t do it without them. … SCOTT (Owner) Earles was excited about many of the Between sponsors and volunteers, that’s 14173 Carrollton Blvd., Carrollton, VA 233147 what makes the festival happen.” vendors coming. BY JIMMY LAROUE STAFF WRITER

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Peanut Fest 2021

Articles inside

A lap around the rink

Demolition derby returns

Totally tubular entertainment

Chairman Theresa Earles