Peanut Festival turns 83: Parade, Battle of the Bands draw crowds

Edenton’s best-attended and most anticipated parade each year is arguably the Peanut Festival, a kickoff to a series of day-long activities organized by the John A. Holmes Band Parents Association that includes the annual Battle of the Bands competition.

The Peanut Festival held Saturday, Oct. 5, was no exception.

Jocelyn Taylor, who drove up in a touring van with other young people, said she was excited to come and watch the parade.

Brittany Proctor’s connection to the parade was more personal, having marched in it years before as a band member. With her was her 19-month-old son, Hayes, who will be 2 in January. She said the Oct. 5th Peanut Festival was his first parade.

“I actually used to play in the band for Perquimans High School,” she said. “I marched with the band in the Peanut Festival Parade, but this is my first time watching it” as a spectator.

The first Peanut Festival Parade was held in 1941, making the celebration a venerable 83 years old. The starring attraction in the parade was the John A. Holmes High School marching band, flag corps, and cheerleaders.

Also participating were the Holmes High School JROTC unit and color guard, floats and marchers representing the Chowan Middle School Bulldogs, and Team WOW, representing the combined students and staff at White Oak and D.F. Walker elementary schools.

Filling out the parade were vintage and modern tractors and farm implements, police cars, and fire engines whose sirens and horns were a big hit with the kids.

A craft fair followed the parade and the day culminated with the John A. Holmes’ annual Battle of the Bands. Ten bands, plus the Holmes Marching Aces, were on the performance roster.

Competing were Manteo High School, Cape Hatteras Secondary School, Gates County High School, Louisburg Magnet High School, Pasquotank County High School, Camden County High School, Roanoke Rapids High School, Bunn High School, Perquimans County High School, and Grassfield High School.

Winners in the band competition included: Cape Hatteras High School, Class 1A; Pasquotank County High School, Class 2A; Camden County High School, Class 3A; Perquimans County High School, Class 4A; and Grassfield High School, Class 5A. Grassfield High School was also selected as the Battle of the Bands’ Grand Champion.