Suffolk Peanut Fest
Queen's Banquet

September 28, 2017
7:00pm (Silent Auction begins at 6:00pm)

Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront & Suffolk Conference Center
100 East Constance Road in Downtown Suffolk

Tickets: $30 per person, general seating only.  $300 per reserved table for 10.
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
No tickets will be sold at the door.

Ticket Outlets:
Suffolk Visitor Center, 524 North Main Street.  757.514.4130
Bennett's Creek Pharmacy, 3219 Bridge Road.  757.483.6966

Produced by The Pilot Club of Suffolk

Since 1941, the peanut festivities have included an array of pageantry and the coronation of a queen and her court. The first "Queen Arachis Hypogea" (the botanical name for the peanut plant), Olive Cawley from New Jersey, was attired in an all-peanut gown, and her entourage included 50 princesses from dozens of communities and neighboring states.

The second festival queen, Patricia Donnelly of Detroit, had been the 1939 Miss America. She was greeted at the airport by dignitaries including Amedeo Obici, who scattered roasted peanuts at her feet rather than the traditional rose petals.

The modern predecessor of today's festival, Harvest Fest, was started in 1978, and the festival queen was voted by the general public. Since then, the title has been bestowed to scores of young ladies, along with the task of representing the festival and the City of Suffolk and an array of activities.

Today's festival queen is selected from among rising high school seniors that are evaluated by a panel based on four criteria: a creative writing essay; school activities; awards and achievements; and community involvement. The Queen and her Court will be recognized at a Banquet  produced by the Pilot Club of Suffolk.

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2016 Suffolk Peanut Fest Queen's ESSAY

Mud Slingin’ Nut Crackin’ Good Time
by Casey Williams
 
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition
of life is, “the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual.” 
My existence, or my life so far, has been made up of experiences influenced by the beautiful city I live in—Suffolk, Virginia-and the annual peanut festival held here every year.

Despite the fact that the peanut festival is only once a year, it still makes a large impact on my life.  Every year my family and I have made it a tradition to go, and because it is so diverse and enjoyable, I have had a great time every time I go.  From amazing food to thrilling rides to the demolition derby to live music better than the radio, the Suffolk Peanut Fest is a celebration for all ages.  Every time we go my parents buy me peanuts, obviously because that’s what Suffolk is known for, and I always remember eating those peanuts, and then enjoying a ride.  When I think of all the rides at the festival, I think of how I laugh really loud and feel carefree, and just for a moment forget about all of the schoolwork I will have to do the next day.  My parents also make an effort to buy from the craft tent which houses some local crafters of Suffolk.  My parents would always buy me great homemade barrettes and ribbons for my hair.  I felt like such a princess. 
In addition they always came home with great items for our home.

My fondest memory of the festival was created in my eight grade year in middle school when I got the opportunity to play the flute with the middle school jazz band at the festival.  The opportunity to showcase my school’s hometown was
like no other.
I have heard mocking from a few of my peers who say Suffolk is “boring,” or a place with “no opportunity.”  However, I strongly disagree.  Suffolk is where I have grown up, laughed, cried, met life-long friends, and had mud slingin’ nut cracklin’ good times.  With the help of the Suffolk Peanut Festival, I will always call Suffolk home.  As they say, it is always a good time to be in Suffolk and it would be a joy to represent Suffolk as the 2016 Peanut Fest Queen.

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Congratulations to the 2016 Suffolk Peanut Fest Queen,
Casey Williams, Nansemond River High School!

Since 1974, The Pilot Club of Suffolk has worked diligently to support community-based organizations and activities. For instance, the Club hosts an annual Civic Night when donations are presented to community agencies; 
it educates both children and adults about brain-related disorders; handcrafts 500 teddy bears for Sentara Obici Memorial Hospital; recognizes 50 high school students who have demonstrated exemplary community spirit, etc.  To learn more, log onto www.pilotvadistrict.org