THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510080036
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
The 18th annual Peanut Fest on Saturday was a mix of bluegrass and wet grass.
It rained, it stopped, it rained, it stopped. The bluegrass musicians were onstage, offstage, onstage, offstage at the Suffolk Municipal Airport.
Debbie Vaughan of Chesapeake likes dry - speaking of beverages, not the weather.
``I've been coming here eight years. I like Peanut Fest better than the Chesapeake Jubilee,'' she said. ``There's no alcohol here like the Jubilee or Harborfest. They're nothing but drinking parties.''
Beer is served, to be sure, but in Suffolk they hawk in a lower key.
``I like Peanut Fest better than the Jubilee,'' said Katie Breslin of Chesapeake. ``It's more family-oriented.''
Between raindrops, the Pizza Hut International Bluegrass Showdown kept enthusiasts happy and occupied.
Four bands in the Suffolk regionals competed for the opportunity to perform against finalists from other areas at Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver's Family Style Bluegrass Festival in Denton, N.C., next July.
The Pilgrims, whose specialty is bluegrass gospel, will be there. The second-place winner was Blue River.
Two of the Fest stages loom large and lonely - the areas in front good only for mud wrestling because of the Wednesday through Saturday evening showers.
Several of the acts switched to other stages in the Family Area. Several did not go on. The national acts, except for John Hartford, were canceled. The area performers . . . performed.
``We got our free peanuts and headed for the grass,'' said Nancy Tuggles of Williamsburg. She braved the rain, staying put on her bench, under her umbrella, while others found shelter. Her reasoning? ``The seat will stay dry.''
No weather problems are anticipated for today. The promise is for sunny and comfortable.
Today's entertainment is stellar, if you are into country. The headliners are Russ Taff, Lisa Brokop and Steve Wariner at, respectively, 1, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. MEMO: Admission to the Suffolk Peanut Fest is free. Parking is $5 a car. For
information, call 934-8753. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
JOHN H. SHEALLY II/Staff
Doug Saul, of Goldsboro, N.C., tries to keep up with the bluegrass
playing at the Peanut Fest. Saul, who helped set up stands and
displays, likes to break out his guitar, sit to the side and play
along.
by CNB