
DATE: Thursday, October 2, 1997             TAG: 9710010169

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: COVER STORY 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   96 lines

THE PARTY BEGINS! THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL IS EXPECTED TO DRAW 350,000 AND WEAR OUT 150 VOLUNTEERS.

A COUPLE of retirees are working as chairman and vice chairman of this year's Peanut Fest, two of approximately 150 volunteers.

Both men began their affiliation with the annual event through their companies - chairman, Hayes Griffin with Virginia Power, and Doug Casey with Planters Peanuts.

The chairmen, working this year with a $700,000 budget, operate like the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon - each year they hope to raise more money for the event and from it.

Griffin, who was vice chairman for last year's Peanut Fest, took over as chairman this year after the original chairman, Sandy Chapman, was hospitalized.

``I had the opportunity, then, to do the job,'' he said. ``Last year we had close to 300,000 people. This year, we're looking for at least 350,000.''

That's a little awesome when you realize that's more than six times the entire population of Suffolk - and much of the traffic will be cruising on Carolina Highway.

Griffin bristles at the thought.

``My biggest concern, the last two years, is getting people onto the site,'' he said. ``They can't spend their money stuck on the road for two hours. They'll turn around and go home.''

But before you consider making that U-turn - look at this: ``We widened the parking entrance this year. We can bring in four lanes of traffic at once - you'll never stop moving.''

Another of Griffin's pet projects is the petting zoo.

In the past, it was sweet - little horses, little piggies, little bunnies.

This year, though, the Fest is bringing the Bob Jones Petting Zoo from South Carolina.

It offers 60 different animals, ranging from run-of-the-mill to exotic.

In addition, there will be pony, elephant, and camel rides.

Other animals at Peanut Fest are involved with the rodeo.

``I could've said `no' to the rodeo this year, because it doesn't have a sponsor,'' Griffin said, ``but it's my call to keep it. You can't find an empty seat - people enjoy it.''

Griffin explains why he enjoys Peanut Fest involvement.

``I worked with the Smithfield Ham and Gourmet Food Festival years ago, because my wife was involved,'' he said.

``I was chairman during its last two years - while I was working with Peanut Fest.

``After the well went dry in Smithfield, I concentrated on the Suffolk event,'' Griffin said. ``My greatest satisfaction is standing out there once the gates open, watching the multitude of people come in.

``I see them come in, I see them go away - satisfied.''

Doug Casey and Wayne Boyce are the vice chairman - with Casey handling the administration and Boyce handling details at the site.

``We're like two pontoons trying to keep Hayes afloat,'' said Casey, who has been part of the Peanut Fest since 1983.

Over the years, he has been in charge of the golf tournament, the Queen's Luncheon, the parade float for the festival queens, the Planters-sponsored entrance to the event, and he has been treasurer.

Next year, Casey climbs the Peanut Fest corporate ladder, and becomes chairman.

``I'm sticking with it simply because I enjoy it,'' he said. ``I like the history behind it, and I like it because it's family oriented - especially compared to similar events in the area.

``We're determined each year,'' Casey said, ``to stay with the family image.''

As an ex-Planters executive he also likes the emphasis on peanuts.

``It's a good boost for one of my favorite foods,'' Casey said. ``The doctor took away my cigars, so I'm eating more peanut butter.''

Peanut Fest is, for the volunteers, the culmination of many months of hard work.

They help with preparations at Suffolk Municipal Airport, contact and arrange the entertainment and find interesting exhibitors.

Some of them handle jobs requiring their physical labor - setting up tents, canopies, and trash receptacles, and cutting the grass; some jobs require such things as phone calls, paperwork, and so on.

``The work is completed by hard-working individuals who volunteer their time and efforts,'' Griffin said. ``Volunteers are truly the key to the success of the Suffolk Peanut Fest.'' ILLUSTRATION: File and color cover photos by MICHAEL KESTNER

Billie-Jean Savage, a senior at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, will be

crowned queen of the `97 Peanut Fest today at a luncheon at the

National Guard Armony.

Bands like this one marching in the 1996 parade compete against each

other in their annual march through downtown.

``My greatest satisfaction is . . . I see them (crowds) go away -

satisfied,'' says Chairman Hayes Griffin.

Vice Chairman Doug Casey, above, handles administrative duties while

the other vice chairman, Wayne Boyce, handles affairs at the

festival site.