Chairman Theresa Earles

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 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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