From the Co-Chairmen of the Pork, Peanut & Pine Festival Planning Committee
The Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival began in 1976 as one of the four projects of the Surry County Bicentennial Committee. It was to commemorate the three main cash crops in Surry County.
The festival is unique because it is a low-key, relaxed family day and no alcohol is allowed on the premises. Country, Blue Grass and Gospel music is presented on stage both days of the Festival. A special national band this year is David Lee Murphy playing on Saturday at 3:00pm. Many people bring their lawn chairs and sit under the cedar trees that line River Road and spend the day listening to the music. Shades tents are provided throughout the grounds and plenty of cold refreshments.
Many Surry families have their reunions during the festival weekend so they can attend the festival. The barnyard has exhibits related to the Pork, Peanut and Pine industries. The other thing that the Festival has is location.
Chippokes Plantation State Park is beautiful year round, but in mid July when the crape myrtles (also spelled, “crepe”) are in full bloom, there is no place as gorgeous. Why hold this event in July? Crape myrtle trees are a favorite in the South, because these heat-tolerant beauties bloom even in the midst of the intense summer heat, when little else will bloom. The crape myrtle was designated Surry County’s Commemorative Tree during its 350th county anniversary celebration in 2002.
Surry County civil, service and social groups sell colloquial food and refreshing cold drinks. Artisans and craftsmen display and demonstrate their wares around the mansion. We usually have about two-thirds of the crafters return from one year to the next. We have a few who have been in the show nearly every year since 1976. Many are like family that we look forward to seeing year to year.
We have always given Mrs. Helen Gwaltney Lenox credit for keeping the Festival going. In February of 1978 she invited 30 people to the “Surrey House Restaurant” to discuss the Third Festival. At that meeting she had prepared cards with committee job assignments on them. Each person drew a card and that was to be his or her job. With few exceptions everyone accepted the challenge.
Many of the current PPP Festival Committee members have served as volunteers for over 20 years, with several serving their 33rd year. This says a lot about the people of Surry County and how they feel about this festival and their community. It takes hundreds of volunteers each year to make this a success. Our committee of less than 20 organizes the entire event with attention to detail to ensure a safe and fun event for everyone. We have always tried to treat our visitors as if they were guests in our homes. After all, Surry County is our home.
If you would like brochures, have any questions, need a vendor application, or have a special request, please email us at: info@toursurryva.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
See you in July!
Kenny Pittman and Brian Pittman, 2008 Co-Chairmen
