Get up, get out Saturday

Published 10:33 pm Wednesday, October 2, 2013

With the abundance of events taking place this weekend, there will be no excuse not to get out and enjoy the unseasonably warm fall weather and the range of activities.

First up on Saturday is the third annual Peanut Fest 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Walk, which begins at Constant’s Wharf at 7:30 a.m. The free, noncompetitive event offers door prizes instead of prizes for the winners, and there’s no pressure to meet a certain time mark. That makes it something that people of all skill and training levels can do together to encourage physical activity as a path to physical fitness.

Registration is closed, but if you’re not registered, the participants could use some cheers from the sidelines.

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On the heels of the 5K will be the Peanut Fest Parade, an annual tradition that means the festival is less than a week away. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. and will travel on Main and Washington streets. The festive atmosphere will be just what you need to prepare for the excitement of next week’s Peanut Festival. While you’re in the area, check out Main Street United Methodist Church’s fall festival and yard sale, where plants, food and more will be up for grabs. The fall festival will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If the kids are still raring to go once the parade passes by, take them to Touch a Truck, Train and More just down the street at the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum. The second annual event benefits the Suffolk Nansemond Historical Society, which owns and operates the museum and conducts a number of other educational programs throughout the year. The chance to get up close with construction equipment, emergency response vehicles, the Planters Nutmobile and more — and support a worthy cause in the process — can’t be passed up. Tickets are $4 each or four for $12, and children under 1 get in free. It runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you still have energy left later in the day, Impact Suffolk is holding a fall faith festival from 3 to 8 p.m. at Bethlehem Christian Church, 1549 Holland Road. Admission is free and includes a gospel concert. Food will be available for purchase, and a cash auction will be held.

The day will end where it started, back at Constant’s Wharf Park for the Boys and Girls Club Suffolk Unit’s fourth annual oyster roast from 5 to 8 p.m. Entertainment by Island Boy and the youth of the club will accompany the good food and drinks. Tickets are $25.

A number of other events are taking place, and they’re all listed on page 3 of this newspaper and on the homepage of our website, www.suffolknewsherald.com.

Whatever event you attend this Saturday, be sure not to stay home.