Suffolk Peanut Fest
Queen's Banquet

September 27, 2018
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.  
​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
Cecelia's Boutique & Gifts, 120 North Main Street, 757.539.3100

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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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 

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Congratulations!

Introducing the  2018 Suffolk Peanut Fest Queen . . .
​Bridget McKneely representing Nansemond Suffolk Academy!

READ
Bridget McKneely's Essay,
"We're Peanut Born and Peanut Bred"

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2018 Peanut Fest Court

Row 1: Haley Adams, Suffolk Christian Academy;  Deja Grays, Lakeland High School
Row 2: Bridget McKneely, Nansemond Suffolk Academy;   Audre Davis, King’s Fork High School
Row 3: Kaitlyn Brittingham, Suffolk Christian Academy;   
Katherine Chafian, Nansemond River High School
Row 4: Terlia Mercer, Lakeland High School;  Johanna Milburn, King’s Fork High School
Row 5:  Sarah Perdue, Nansemond Suffolk Academy;   
​Mackenzie West, Nansemond River High School