Friday, the event gets in full swing at 5:00 p.m. in the Park. The Third Rail Band takes the stage at 5:00 p.m. and will play until 7:30. From 8:00 until 11:00 The Holiday Day Band will play beach music and a variety of others until 11:00 a.m. Plenty of good food with new vendors this year.
Saturday is THE BIG DAY. Come out early Saturday morning and enjoy the excitement as you pass through town. The very best car show in Southside Virginia will be filling the old elementary school front lawn with some of the 'sweetest' rides you've every seen. Doors open at 12:00 noon so don't be late.
Across the street vendors will have their booths set up early to be ready for early morning shoppers. Food vendors will start their grills! Who can resist the temptation of fried onions, hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, chicken and good cup of southern lemonade?
The parade starts at 11:00 a.m. leaving Laurel Street to North Main Street. The route will be lined with excited children and plenty of adults who enjoy a good parade. The Virginia Peanut Festival puts on the best parade anywhere. We are fortunate to have the Meherrin Indian Tribe return to their home place. Other tribes in the area will accompany them. The "Hillbillies" will be here again this year. What a show they put on for the crowd. They will continue on in the park during the afternoon.
This year's Grand Marshall is Willie Shimko. Mr. Shimko is a very well known citizen in Emporia/Greensville and one of the best peanut farmers the area has ever known. He and his family still live in the same area of the County. He has won many awards for his expertise in the farming industry and has lived a lifetime promoting this Southside community. He will lead the parade and is sure to bring smiles to everyone as he rides up Main Street. Local high school bands will be playing along the parade route.
Once the parade has traveled past the entrance to the Park, life becomes very busy as everyone scurries to get lunch and find a place in the park to enjoy entertainment all day from 12:30 p.m. until midnight. Blankets, towels, chairs, strollers and every imaginable seating place will be filled with friends, family, and many guests from everywhere in Virginia and nearby North Carolina. There will be crafts of every nature lined up along the path. A new event this year is Rosemont Winery will be set up for your tasting pleasure (appropriate ages)
Captain Jim, the Magical Pirate will return as Special Entertainer in the Park. He and his companion, Sea Shel will amaze you on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. In addition to their stage show he will be in wandering throughout the park and meeting 'Festival goers'. Seems Captain Jim, who actually has a wooden leg, has added stilt walking to his entertaining.
Music will fill the air with something for everyone. Friday night The Third Rail Band starts playing at 5:00 p.m. following by The Holiday Band at 8:00 p.m.
At 12:30 p.m. on Saturday Randy Grigg and Flatland Bluegrass Band starts an afternoon of music, fun and fellowship. Will Adams will be on stage at 4:00 p.m. to be followed by The Ginger Thompson Band at 5:00 p.m. There will be a Junior Shag Dance Couple Demonstration at 6:15 p.m. FLASHBACK will take the stage at 8:00 p.m. to play until the crowd goes home. The Junior Shag Dance Couple will perform again at 8:30 p.m. At 9:05 p.m. a magnificent display of fireworks will light the skies.
Sunday afternoon from 1:00 until 5:00 food vendors will be there to catch the crowd as they appear for more entertainment by Captain Jim and others.
Other interesting and educational events will be held during the weekend. Three Civil War Camps will be in the park. They will be on the north and south side of the river as well as at the Trestle. They will enjoy sharing a history of the War Between the States as well as having many artifacts on hand. Plans are to have a cannon that will actually be fired with permission of local officials. Bob Flippen has an interesting farm tour planned for everyone who wants to make the trip to a local farm and learn about the production of peanuts. Tour begins at 2:00 p.m. behind the library. 4-H will have a petting zoo near the river. Beth Roach and her team from Chippokes Plantation will be in the park with displays of animal pelts and other interesting items. A historical marker noting the Hicksford Raid will be unveiled at its permanent place in Veterans Park.
One of the biggest events is the antique tractors and machinery. Locals Billy Poarch, Albert Delbridge, Jerry Phillips and the Roach Brothers and others participate; Bob and George Daniels from Blackstone and Keith Jones from Richmond and others bring down many pieces of equipment at their own expense to support the event and have them for weekend.
Billy Poarch will be in the park on Saturday and Sunday with his tractor and wagon for hayrides through the park and around the block. He makes sure everyone that wants to have a good old-fashioned hayride makes the trip. Billy is one of the top producers in our area. He also makes 'corn' boxes for the kids to play in during the day. You'll probably find a few hay bales you can sit on if you have walked and danced as much as you can for a while.
Sunshine Amusements returns with the Carnival, starting Thursday running through Sunday afternoon.
Fireworks! Fireworks! Fireworks! With co-sponsorship from the Emporia Greensville Chamber of Commerce, the display this year promises to be U N B E L I E V A B L E! and that comes straight from the words of John Cosgrove of Master Displays.
Admission and parking to all events is free.
The event is made possible by support from the County of Greensville, City of Emporia; and, major sponsorships come from Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center, Boar's Head, Illuca, and the Emporia Greensville Chamber of Commerce.
Committee Members have worked hard to make sure this year's event will be memorable. Kay Callahan, Bob Flippen, Scott Thompson, Maxie Moore, Meredith Rideout Thomas, Earl Blick, Bruce Campbell, Brenda Pultz, Andy Lucy, Woody Harris, Hannah Barrett, Trudy Farmer Reel, April Wright and Billy Poarch along with many extras are all volunteers who take pride in the largest event in our area. Come and support their efforts and be a part of The Virginia Peanut Festival on the 4th weekend in September 2010!
