WHEREAS, the Virginia Peanut Festival, an annual event in Emporia that celebrates the important role the Virginia peanut variety and Virginia peanut farmers have played in the history and culture of the Commonwealth, commemorated its 60th anniversary in 2022; and

WHEREAS, the origins of the Virginia Peanut Festival date to 1949, when what is today the Emporia-Greensville Chamber of Commerce sponsored the first Southside Virginia Peanut Festival; and

WHEREAS, after a break of several years, the Virginia Peanut Festival returned, appearing in various iterations over the years as the Southside Virginia Peanut Festival, the Emporia Peanut Festival, the Emporia-Greensville Peanut Festival, and the Virginia Peanut Festival, and was officially franchised by the Emporia-Greensville Chamber of Commerce in 1981; and

WHEREAS, initially run exclusively by volunteers, the Virginia Peanut Festival was later managed by an event company from 1994 to 2001 until the costs associated with the event became prohibitive; and

WHEREAS, unwilling to witness the end of a cherished community event, local leaders Robert C. Wrenn and Bobby L. Flippen organized a group of volunteers to carry on the tradition of the Virginia Peanut Festival; and

WHEREAS, since the 40th Virginia Peanut Festival in 2001, the event has been made possible through the tireless efforts of its dedicated volunteers and the generous sponsorship of the City of Emporia, the County of Greensville, and many local businesses and citizens; and

WHEREAS, distinguished actors, athletes, pageant queens, community activists, and other public figures have served as grand marshal of the Virginia Peanut Festival over the years, including actress Elizabeth Taylor, astronaut John Michael Lounge, and NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Cale Yarborough; and

WHEREAS, in its early years, the Virginia Peanut Festival featured a beauty pageant that determined the queen of the festival; over time, the event has evolved to include a car and truck show, parade, food competition, fireworks display, live music, arts and craft presentations, educational exhibits, a carnival, and more; and

WHEREAS, with great purpose and vision, the Virginia Peanut Festival brings people together year after year to celebrate the Virginia peanut variety and peanut farmers of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Virginia Peanut Festival in Emporia hereby be commended on the occasion of its 60th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to representatives of the Virginia Peanut Festival as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the event's history and its contributions to the Commonwealth.