By Cleo-Symone Scott

Intern

The Suffolk Ruritan Club’s annual Shrimp Feast is right around the corner.

The much-anticipated kick-off to the Suffolk Peanut Fest will be on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 3 to 7 p.m. on the festival grounds at Suffolk Executive Airport. Ticketholders will enjoy all-you-can-eat shrimp, barbecue, sides and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The Embers, a beach band that has been playing up and down the East Coast all summer, will be providing the live entertainment.

Event chairman Jimmy Franks is very excited about how the feast is being received this year.

“Ticket sales are going better than we’ve had in a long time,” Franks said. “We’re looking to have a big turnout.”

All proceeds from the Shrimp Feast go back into the community. The Ruritan Club supports several local organizations such as The Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls Club of Suffolk, Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk, Suffolk Humane Society and other charities and scholarship programs that help Suffolk citizens.

The Feast has given away around $3 million since its start, according to Franks.

He urges those who want to come to the feast to go ahead and buy their tickets before they’re all gone.

The Shrimp Feast will be selling only 2,500 tickets. Tickets are $35 per person and can only be purchased in advance. This year, people are able to buy their tickets online at Suffolk-ruritan.ticketleap.com.

Tickets can also be purchased in person at Virginia Commonwealth Bank, Line-X of Suffolk, Bronco Federal Credit Union, BB&T Bank on Route 58, Roy’s & Ricky’s, Mike Duman Auto Sales, Quality Cleaners, Citizen’s Bank in Windsor, Ricky’s Custom Carts, Major Signs, Suffolk Visitor Center and Carts Unlimited. Cash and checks only. Make checks payable to “Suffolk Ruritan Club.”

For more information, visit suffolkpeanutfest.com or call 434-9240 or 620-8625.