AULANDER – It’s a salute to the golden goodness that grows just beneath the fertile soil of the Roanoke-Chowan area.

The fifth annual Aulander Peanut Festival is slated for Saturday, Oct. 6, featuring a wide variety of activities.

The wholesome family fun – which lasts the entire day, includes entertainment, games and plenty of food.

For those with a competitive spirit, be sure to enter one of the contests – Punt/Pass & Kick, 5K & Fun Run, Cornhole Tournament, and Aulander’s Got Talent – where prizes await the winners.

Meanwhile, the prestigious titles of Little Mr. and Little Miss Peanut will be awarded during a contest for youngsters.

All events will take place at the Aulander Fitness Track and adjoining ballfield as well as inside the old Aulander High School gym (if needed), all located on Rice Street.

The opening ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

“Peanut Fest is an event that delivers fun and entertainment throughout the day to every age group,” said Aulander Mayor Larry Drew.

Despite losing its main sponsor with the 2016 closing of Golden Peanut, a longtime business in the Aulander, Drew said town officials vowed to move forward with holding this annual event.

“We still see the value in holding the festival,” Drew acknowledged. “It’s something very worth the time and effort it takes to put on such an event for our little town and for our neighboring towns and communities.

“We will continue to work together in unison and support each other for the greater benefit of Aulander,” the Mayor concluded.

The 5K & Fun Run begins at 9 a.m. on Oct. 6. The entry fee is $15 for adults or $5 for ages 12-and-under. T-shirts and medals will be awarded to participants.

To register for the 5K & Fun Run, stop by the Aulander Town Hall between now and Friday. Registrations will also be accepted on the day of the race at 8 a.m. at the Aulander Fitness Trail.

For more info on the race, contact Lewis Hoggard at 252-794-4277 or the Aulander Town Hall at 252-345-3541.

There will be plenty of musical entertainment throughout the festival, to include bluegrass music (11:30 a.m.), the Roanoke Jubilees (3 p.m.) and the Breadwine & Blooze Band who closes out the day with a performance on the main stage from 5-7 p.m.

Other events at the festival include a display of antique tractors, games/activities for all ages, Kringy Magic Show, The Spin Man, and Carolina Jump Rope.

Be sure to shop for bargains by visiting one of the numerous arts/crafts vendors, and calm those hunger pains by selecting a delicious meal, sandwich or sweet treat at one of the food vendors.

Craft vendors include:

Tomeka Roulhac (gift card envelopes, treat packs, gift tags);

Michelle Wells/Scentsy (home décor, fragrances by Scentsy);

Bonnie Powell/Bling by Bonnie (Paparazzi jewelry);

Leigh Overton/Thirty One (bags, organizing, personalized products;

Jamie Taylor/Lula Roe (clothing);

Ala Gore/Usborne Books & More (books & activities for children);

Marion Drake (jewelry);

Edward Williams/It’s My Turn (pens);

Michelle Saunders/Cutie’s Baskets (gift baskets);

Rodney Bland/The Gideons International (distributing Bibles);

Kenneth Godfrey/Kenny G’s Rustic Furniture (tables, candle holders, figurines);

Latoya Stephenson/Operation Celebration (party supplies);

Walter Gray/Elm Cottage Apiaries (honey & bee products, canned goods);

William Wright/RCCC (educational information);

Tim Bristow (wood crafts);

Michelle Meldick/Chelle’s EZ Nails (color street nail polish strips);

Glenda Gilliam/Diva Kakes & Kup Kakes (pie slices, cup cakes & candy apples);

Carol Saunders/Wreaths & More (ribbon, grape vine, mesh wreaths, center pieces);

Dawn Baker/Usborne Books (books & activities for children);

Bertie Co. Humane Society (dog treats);

Laverne Jones (handmade jewelry, sewn items, hankies, etc.);

Tim Wadsworth/NC Wildlife Commission (hunting & fishing display trailer);

Cindy Clark/ C & A Woodcrafts (scroll saw art);

Ann White/ C & A Woodcrafts (table top Corn Hole boards);

Kay Hoggard (deco art);

Martha Freeman (cake walk);

Joshua Biesecker/USDA Wildlife Services (wildlife display);

Tabitha Wiggins/Damsel in Defense (merchandise);

Lauren Barmer/Younique Cosmetics; and

Aulander Ruritan Club (information).

Food vendors include:

Deep South Shaved Ice (shaved ice & snow crème);

HRK Concessions (boiled peanuts, sweets, sodas, fried Oreos, fried pickles);

Bertie Early College FFA (snacks, chips, cakes, candy, drinks, bottled water);

Ruth Bell/Kiddie’s Happy Home Care (funnel cakes, snow cones, popcorn, onion rings, candy apples);

Higher Ground Church (nachos & cheese, hot dogs, sausage dogs);

Simmons & Eley Crab Hut (crabs, fish, chicken, candy apples, sausage, hot dogs, tea, soft drinks);

Betty’s Catering (chili beans, sausage dogs, tea, lemonade);

Derrick Wilkins/Wilder’s Funeral Home (ribs, chicken, burgers, sausage); and

Eley’s Mobile Food Unit (hot dogs, burgers, nachos, french fries, candy apples).

For more information, contact the Aulander Town Hall at 252-345-3541.