BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON
EDENTON — Edenton is gearing up to celebrate the golden anniversary of one of its most beloved traditions. The 50th Annual Peanut Festival will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, filling the town with music, food, fitness, and fun for all ages.
The day begins bright and early with the Nut Run at Elizabeth Vann Moore Waterfront Park. Runners can choose a 10K (7 a.m.), 5K (8:30 a.m.), or the 15K Challenge — running both courses back-to-back. A Kid’s Peanut Sack Race will also add family fun to the morning.
In the past, the John A. Holmes High School cross-country team and even the Chowan Herald have hosted a 5K (3.1 mile) run as part of the festival activities.
At 10 a.m., South Broad Street transforms into the stage for the Peanut Parade, featuring floats, bands, tractors, classic cars, dancers, golf carts, pets, and more. The parade, a cornerstone of the festival, highlights the creativity and spirit of local schools, businesses, and community groups.
Beginning at 11 a.m., downtown will come alive with live music, a street fair, and Peanuts on Porches. Visitors can also enjoy the Colonial Market at the Cupola House, crafts at the farmers’ market and arts council, and pop-ups on King Street.
The celebration reaches its crescendo with the Battle of the Bands at John A. Holmes High School. Gates open at 12 p.m., and the competition begins at 2 p.m. Marching bands from across North Carolina and southern Virginia will compete in front of a packed crowd, with awards recognizing the best in musicianship, spirit, and showmanship. The event, presented by the Marching Aces, has long been the heart of the festival, raising funds to support local school band programs. Admission is $10, with children age 2 and under free.
A Community Effort, Past and Present
For decades, the Peanut Festival was organized by the parents of John A. Holmes and Chowan Middle School band students. Volunteers coordinated everything, from organizing the 5K run to ensuring parade floats arrived at the parking lot on Court Street on time, setting up concessions, and unloading instruments from trailers. This often involved starting before dawn and working late into the evening. Their efforts not only brought bands from across the region to Edenton, but also raised thousands of dollars to support local music programs.
This year, for the first time, Main Street Edenton and Visit Edenton, NC are taking the lead, building on the strong foundation laid by generations of parents, students, and alumni. While the leadership has shifted, the festival remains rooted in community pride, with local businesses, families, and volunteers continuing to play a vital role.
Over its 50-year history, the Peanut Festival has become more than just a day of events. It’s a celebration of Edenton’s youth, a showcase of local talent, and a reminder of how the community comes together to support its students. Whether you’re running, marching, cheering, or simply strolling through downtown, the Peanut Festival is Edenton at its best.
For more information or to register for events, visit visitedenton.com/peanut-festival.
Peanut Festival Schedule At a Glance
- 7 a.m. – Nut Run 10K (Waterfront Park)
- 8:30 a.m. – Nut Run 5K (Waterfront Park)
- Kid’s Peanut Sack Race – during morning run events
- 10 a.m. – Peanut Parade (South Broad Street)
- 11 a.m. – Live music, street fair & Peanuts on Porches (downtown, Cupola House, farmers’ market, King Street pop-ups)
- 12 p.m. – Gates open at John A. Holmes High School for Battle of the Bands
- 2 p.m. – Battle of the Bands competition begins
Other activities
While in Edenton for the Peanut Festival, there are several other events going on to participate in:
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Colonial Market in the Cupola House grounds, 408 S. Broad St. The Market features colonial crafts, refreshments, games and an array of goods and gifts!
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Edenton Farmers Market, 200 N. Broad St. Featuring a variety of vendors and products.
Community Keeps Peanut Festival Running
For longtime Edenton residents, the Peanut Festival has never been just another date on the calendar — it has been a labor of love.
In years past, parents of the Marching Aces and Chowan Middle School band members shouldered the responsibility of pulling the day together. From organizing parking and food stands to hauling equipment for visiting bands, they dedicated countless hours to ensure the festival ran smoothly. Many still remember arriving at the high school or downtown Edenton before sunrise, coffee in hand, ready to work a full day and cheer their children on late into the night.
That tradition of service and community spirit is what made the Peanut Festival such a lasting event — and what carries it forward today. While 2025 marks the first year that several local organizations have officially stepped into the role of organizers, the heartbeat of the festival remains the same: neighbors pitching in, families showing up, and a town proud of its young people.
The Peanut Festival has changed over the decades, welcoming new events and larger crowds, but at its core, it is still about celebrating community. As the festival turns 50, Edenton honors not only the performers and organizers of today, but also the generations of parents, students, and volunteers whose dedication made it possible.
