by KENYA SMITH/INTERN
kenya.smith@tidewaternews.com

SURRY
The Pork, Peanut, and Pine Festival will be on Saturday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday July 22 from noon to 5 p.m. at Chippokes Plantation State Park. Susan Corvello, vice-president of the festival committee, explained the origin of the festival.

“This will be our 43rd year of hosting the festival, and it’s named after the three crops of the area: pork, peanuts and pine.” she said, “and it honors the farmers in the area who produced these crops.”

Corvello also explained that the festival take place every July because that was the time of the year where farmers had a short period of time between planting and harvesting.

This year, attendees can anticipate a lot of food, entertainment and fun for the entire family. Food vendors will be present for people to savor Surry County’s delicacies such as pork barbecue, fried pork rinds, grilled pork chops, peanut pie and peanut brittle. There will also be vendors that will sell arts, crafts and specialty items. People can listen to the live performances of various bands and soloists on the River Road Stage. There is also a kids corner where children can have fun on the rock climbing wall and inflatable slide, have their face painted and feed and touch the animals at the petting zoo. Pony rides are also available. Two new additions are coming to the event. Mr. Peanut, the famous icon of Planter’s Peanuts, will arrive in his Nut Mobile on Saturday, and a hobby hog race, which is similar to a hobby horse race.

The festival will also host its annual parade, which starts at 12:30 p.m. That will feature antique cars, tractors, a horse-drawn carriage, and a debut of little Mr. and Miss Peanut. This year’s crowned Mr. Peanut and Miss Peanut are 5-year-olds Colton Thomas Cunningham and Hailey Lynn Aultman.

Cunningham attends Isle of Wight Academy and is the son of  Brad and Jessica Cunningham, and Aultman attends Surry Elementary and is the daughter of Christopher and Britney Aultman.

The festival will also have various opportunities for people to learn about rural life.

“There will be spinners who will show people how yarn was made by taking some wool and using the old fashioned wool winders.” Corvello explained, “In addition, attendees can learn how peanuts are grown and also the different types of peanuts.”

There will also be woodcarving demonstrations and an opportunity to observe antique farming equipment at Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum. Covello believes that these opportunities are very important. “They will help children understand where certain where certain items come from and how they are made. It will also keep our history alive.”

Admission is $5 for one person, $10 for two or more people, $25 for small passenger buses, and $50 for coach buses. Kids 10 and under can get in for free. For more information, call 757-377-7495 or visit www.porkpeanutpinefestival.org.