The City of Suffolk is the largest city in the US State of Virginia, boasting a population of a little over 86,000.
That also makes it the 14th largest city in the entire country. However, whilst that is (mildly) interesting to know, there are far more interesting facts about this city.
After all, a city’s who’s most famous resident is a giant peanut must be harboring quite a few fun facts, so lets take a quick look at some of the more unique things that everyone should know about Suffolk, Virginia.
The Most Famous Resident is, Indeed, a Giant Peanut
Yep, we weren’t joking!
The famous Planters Peanut Company opened in the city in 1912, and were extremely successful, expanding so rapidly that by the early 1950’s the city had earned the nickname of the Peanut Capital of the World.
To celebrate this fact, a large statue of the Planter Company’s Mr. Peanut, who adorns the company logo and packaging, was constructed. Over the years it has become a popular tourist attraction, helping Mr. Peanut himself become the most famous resident in the city.
It’s Haunted
Suffolk is quite an old city, and like any city of its vintage it has it’s fair share of ghost stories and haunted locations. Of course, the area that boasts the spookiest activity is, no surprise, the old cemetery on Cedar Hill. Built in 1802, if you’re very brave there are regular nighttime lantern tours around the grounds…
If you need a bit of liquid courage first you could try Baron’s Pub. However, being located on the ground floor of what was once the 19th century Hotel Eliot, it is reportedly haunted by a number of old hotel guests who refuse to check out – but that could have more to do with the other type of spirits that they supply!
Go Dough-Nutty for Doughnuts
As the great Homer Simpsons once said, “Doughnuts – is there anything they can’t do?”
These rings of fried gold are popular all over the country of course, but here in Suffolk they rise to whole new heights of perfection. O’doodleDoo’s (yes, that is their real name) are famous in town for frying up not only the freshest doughnuts but also the tastiest, with a menu of over 200 different toppings, flavors and glazes. That’s worth a visit, surely?
Go Nuts at the Nuts Festival
Yes we already made a pun about going nutty but technically, peanuts are not a nut, they are a legume (look it up!). Anyway, like we said up top, peanuts are hugely important to the city, so it should be no surprise that the largest festival is dedicated to humble peanut.
Every year around 125,000 people attend the annual Suffolk Peanut Festival. They come to see the incredible parade, eat tasty food (including, I assume, an awful lot of peanuts), listen to live music and see the annual crowning of the Peanut Queen.
So there you go, that just a few of the interesting facts about Suffolk, which explains why this is a city… on the grow.
That also makes it the 14th largest city in the entire country. However, whilst that is (mildly) interesting to know, there are far more interesting facts about this city.
After all, a city’s who’s most famous resident is a giant peanut must be harboring quite a few fun facts, so lets take a quick look at some of the more unique things that everyone should know about Suffolk, Virginia.
The Most Famous Resident is, Indeed, a Giant Peanut
Yep, we weren’t joking!
The famous Planters Peanut Company opened in the city in 1912, and were extremely successful, expanding so rapidly that by the early 1950’s the city had earned the nickname of the Peanut Capital of the World.
To celebrate this fact, a large statue of the Planter Company’s Mr. Peanut, who adorns the company logo and packaging, was constructed. Over the years it has become a popular tourist attraction, helping Mr. Peanut himself become the most famous resident in the city.
It’s Haunted
Suffolk is quite an old city, and like any city of its vintage it has it’s fair share of ghost stories and haunted locations. Of course, the area that boasts the spookiest activity is, no surprise, the old cemetery on Cedar Hill. Built in 1802, if you’re very brave there are regular nighttime lantern tours around the grounds…
If you need a bit of liquid courage first you could try Baron’s Pub. However, being located on the ground floor of what was once the 19th century Hotel Eliot, it is reportedly haunted by a number of old hotel guests who refuse to check out – but that could have more to do with the other type of spirits that they supply!
Go Dough-Nutty for Doughnuts
As the great Homer Simpsons once said, “Doughnuts – is there anything they can’t do?”
These rings of fried gold are popular all over the country of course, but here in Suffolk they rise to whole new heights of perfection. O’doodleDoo’s (yes, that is their real name) are famous in town for frying up not only the freshest doughnuts but also the tastiest, with a menu of over 200 different toppings, flavors and glazes. That’s worth a visit, surely?
Go Nuts at the Nuts Festival
Yes we already made a pun about going nutty but technically, peanuts are not a nut, they are a legume (look it up!). Anyway, like we said up top, peanuts are hugely important to the city, so it should be no surprise that the largest festival is dedicated to humble peanut.
Every year around 125,000 people attend the annual Suffolk Peanut Festival. They come to see the incredible parade, eat tasty food (including, I assume, an awful lot of peanuts), listen to live music and see the annual crowning of the Peanut Queen.
So there you go, that just a few of the interesting facts about Suffolk, which explains why this is a city… on the grow.