Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 10, 2012
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Chippokes Plantation State Park to host Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival July 21-22
Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival now features the Steam & Gas Engine Show
(SURRY, VA) - Chippokes Plantation State Park will host the Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival July 21-22. The festival will be bigger than ever because the PPP Festival is combining with the park's Steam & Gas Engine Show, usually held in June.
"We've taken two popular events and combined them into one large event," said Bill Jacobs, Chippokes Plantation State Park manager. "Our area's rich agricultural heritage will be celebrated and demonstrated, complete with barbeque and other food offerings, artisan crafters, antique tractor pulls, sawmill demonstrations and much more. And of course we continue to offer children's activities."
Established in 1619, and expanded to its current boundaries in 1646, the park is one of the oldest working farms in the United States.
Chippokes is a living historical exhibit in a rural agricultural area along the James River in Surry County. The park has a swimming complex, visitor center, picnic facilities, and hiking and biking trails.
The award-winning Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is $5 and includes the festival, parking and tram rides. Children 10 and younger are free.
Scheduled musical performances include Gospel Country Messengers, E Z Street Band, Flatland Bluegrass Band, Nikki Headley Ministry, Nansemond River Boys, Common Ground, Dave Cynar, Heather Edwards Band and Hard Knox.
Other activities include a parade and the crowning of Mr. and Miss Peanut, Ethan Pond and Shiane Lee Adams, on Saturday.
Activities scheduled for both days include a tractor pull, a saw mill demonstration, a peanut picker and hay bailer exhibition, a horse and mule plow demonstration, a kid's pedal tractor pull and a display of artwork by area high school students.
For more information visit www.porkpeanutpinefestival.org.
For more information about Virginia State Parks activities and amenities or to make a reservation for one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.
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