The Ruston Peach Festival, a cherished event in North Louisiana, is set to proceed with its annual celebration despite facing significant challenges this year. Local peach farmers, including veteran grower Joe Mitcham, have been grappling with the aftermath of two severe cold snaps in March that devastated their crops.
Mitcham, whose dedication to peach farming is a way of life, explained the impact of the freeze. “About 28, maybe even 29 degrees is the coldest they can take,” he said. “And we had 22 degrees on March 16. That main morning was the one that really got us. Five of my varieties have got no peaches.”
To meet the demands of the festival, Mitcham and other growers have turned to Plan B, sourcing peaches from South Carolina. “We’re bringing in South Carolina peaches, and that’s what we’ll have for sales, especially for the festival,” Mitcham noted.
In addition to the freeze, Mitcham’s orchard has been battling a fungal disease that has reduced his tree inventory over the past five years. “It’s really affecting the trees,” he said. “I’m down to 800 trees, which is eight acres of trees. We used to have 1,800 trees.”
Despite these setbacks, community support remains strong. Customers like Duane Garner continue to support local growers. “To support them,” Garner said. “And my grandkids love the peaches.”
The festival, which runs from Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., promises a variety of family-friendly activities centered around the region’s signature fruit. Events kick off Friday with the Peach Parade, a peach pickleball tournament, and a downtown preview night featuring local businesses.
Inside the farm store, visitors can explore a range of peach-themed products, from preserves to peach-scented lotion. The festival not only attracts local residents but also tourists and families returning to reconnect with their roots, like Sterling Alexander and his family.
Community Spirit and Resilience
The Ruston Peach Festival exemplifies the resilience and community spirit of North Louisiana. Despite the challenges, the enthusiasm for peaches remains strong, and festivalgoers are expected to share stories and create lasting memories throughout the weekend.
For more details on the festival, visit the Ruston Peach Fest’s website.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
