THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 3, 1996 TAG: 9610020113
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: MR. ROBERTS' NEIGHBORHOOD
SOURCE: FRANK ROBERTS
LENGTH: 71 lines
They worked on the railroad all the livelong day. And when they retired, they got together to sing - about lining track and repairing derailment sites for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad.
At Peanut Fest, the muscled former workmen will show you that they can still swing 12-pound hammers, drive spikes and move rails and crossties.
Mostly, though, they sing railroading songs.
The Buckingham Lining Bar Gang, to perform Oct. 10 to 12, at times to be announced, is among unusual offerings you can enjoy at the festival.
Another is Runa Pacha, Indian musicians from the Andes Mountains. The name translates to Indian World.
They sing and dance to traditional Inca songs, accompanying themselves on pan pipes, guitars, drums and the charango.
Outfitted in black wool hats, and white shirts and pants, the five- piece band will be in the Midway Area at Peanut Fest, Oct. 10 to 13.
Friday is the day for young and old. It's Kiddie Day and Senior Day, with free rides and activities for the little ones, free activities for their grandparents. It begins at 10 a.m.
From 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., families can get together to listen to, and take pictures of, their children involved in performing with their school groups.
Here is the schedule:
10:30, Forest Glen Middle School Chorus; 10:50, Forest Glen Middle School Band; 11:10, John Yeates Middle School Band.
11:30, John F. Kennedy Middle School Band; 11:50, Nansemond River High School Choraleers; 12:10, John Yeates Middle School Chorus; 12:30, Southwestern Elementary School Chorus; 12:50, Kilby Shores Elementary School Chorus.
1:30, First Baptist Church School Chorus; 2, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Lower School Chorus; 2:30, chorus of Greenbrier Christian School's Suffolk campus.
Places to play bingo are hard to find in this area, but you can fill your cards from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday in the Activities Tent. Good luck!
This is the first year for this rah-rah event: A cheerleading competition and exhibition, at 10 a.m. Saturday, in the Family Area.
This event, like the singing, is a good excuse for bringing friends and relatives along.
These Peanut Fest features will be continuous: Putt-putt golf, a computer-simulated film called ``IWERKS,'' Peanut City BassMasters Casting Competition, puppet shows presented by Southside Baptist Church, an antique fire engine on display by the Suffolk Fire Department, plus puppet shows, balloons and face painting by Tidewater Leisure Ministries.
Once you get to the Fest site, you can direct questions to the well-informed members of The Goober Gang, four boys and four girls from each local high school.
They were chosen by their principals because of pleasant, outgoing personalities and enjoy greeting, talking to and assisting visitors.
In addition to telling you where to go - in a nice way, of course - some of the Gang will be at the entrance, handing out peanuts and information about the festival.
The teens will also escort strolling entertainers, and work with the children on Kiddie Day.
The Goober Gang will be atop their own float during Saturday's Peanut Fest Parade - at 10 a.m.
Next week, we'll take a look at some of the music you can hear at the Fest. Martina McBride is the big name. Stay tuned. MEMO: Mr. Roberts' Neighborhood will appear weekly through Oct. 10,
giving a variety of news about Suffolk's upcoming Peanut Fest. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The Buckingham Lining Bar Gang will perform at the Peanut Fest. by CNB