THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 25, 1994 TAG: 9408240208
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER SUFFOLK
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
THIS YEAR'S PEANUT FEST, running from Thursday, Oct. 6, to Sunday, the 9th, will look like an old ``Ed Sullivan Show'' - some reeeallly big names coupled with a few vaudeville-type acts.
For example: The fest will spotlight the hot Southern rockin' Marshall Tucker Band - as well as Spats, ``The Lost Vaudevillian.''
The Mavericks, an exciting country music group that is up for five Country Music Association awards, will perform at Peanut Fest. Also featured: The Original Alberti Flea Circus.
And remember Jim Messina of Loggins and . . . ? He'll be there, too, as will the McLamb Rodeo and a demolition derby.
``Our lineup is as strong as those I've seen at any other area festival,'' said entertainment coordinator Wayne Smith. ``We want to please the masses.''
For the masses, there appears to be something to suit every musical taste, but the accent is on country: The Mavericks, Darryl & Don Ellis and award-winning songwriter Victoria Shaw.
Why the country music emphasis? Public demand.
A survey taken at last year's Peanut Fest concluded that 39 percent of those responding said they preferred that type of music. Rock 'n' roll landed 16 percent, rhythm and blues got 11 percent, top-40 received 10 percent, jazz got 7 percent and ``other'' accounted for 17 percent of the votes.
One reason Peanut Fest is offering so many acts is that the survey also said the public wants entertainment.
Thirty-nine percent of last year's festgoers said that's why they came. The other reasons: crafts, amusements, exhibits, food and good ole miscellaneous.
Most of the fest's visitors were native sons and daughters; the survey showed 65 percent were from Suffolk. The Peanut Fest did entice visitors from South Hampton Roads areas: 14 percent. Seven percent crossed the James River, and 15 percent visited from other locales.
No matter where they come from, they usually come as a family group.
``This is a family festival,'' Smith said several times. ``We emphasize, family.''
To entice people to make several visits, the entertainment is being spread out over Friday, Saturday and Sunday - Oct. 7, 8 and 9 - and the big names are not relegated to any particular night.
Some of the other entertainers are not well-known nationally but have made names for themselves in Hampton Roads.
``We've got the best club and TGIF bands in the area,'' Smith said.
Choruses from area schools will perform, and there will be clogging aplenty by the Peanut City Cloggers and the County Line Cloggers.
The Sunday entertainment will be appropriate to the day, with gospel music and a church youth choir on hand during church hours.
Not all the entertainment will be stationary: Clowns, magicians and other performers will be strolling around.
Some performers will keep busy in the Children's Activity Area, where the little ones also can get involved in coloring, macaroni art and face painting.
Other things to enjoy: karaoke and karate; pony, horse and camel rides; and free Kiddie Day parking and free family-area kiddie rides from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 7.
``We have,'' Smith said, ``something for everyone.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The hot Southern rockin' Marshall Tucker Band will be on the Main
Stage at the Peanut Fest Oct. 8. Spats, ``The Lost Vaudevillian,''
and the Mavericks are also on the festival schedule.
by CNB