55th Annual Porter Peach Festival Kicks Off Despite Short Peach Supply

The 55th Annual Porter Peach Festival begins Thursday on Porter’s Main Street. Typically the Porter Peach Festival is known for having fresh peaches, but there will not actually be any on Main Street this year because of short supply.

The Festival’s Chairman Alan Parnell said there will still be peach desserts, drinks, and more as far as the eye can see, but the peaches themselves are scarce due to most of the crops being destroyed in the severe cold weather that struck the state in February. He said only 10% of the orchards produced good peaches this year.

You can still buy fresh peaches at Livesay Orchards instead.

The Livesay Orchards and Bakery opens at 8 a.m. Thursday for all to enjoy but the Peach Festival itself begins at 5 p.m. on Porter's Main Street with arts and crafts vendors, food options, a talent show, gymnastics exhibition, and even a petting zoo.

The orchards are a few miles from the festival itself, so organizers ask that you plan accordingly if you plan to visit both locations.

The full list of events and times for the three-day festival can be found by Clicking Here https://www.porterpeachfestivals.com/schedule-of-events

Festival Chairman Alan Parnell said even with a lack of peaches, they are excited to throw the festival everyone has come to know and love.

"We decided to just continue on, it's the 55th year of it, there have been years that we have had none so we at least do have some,” Parnell said.

The current Peach Festival Queens will also be in attendance proudly wearing their crowns and title sashes during the parade and while walking around the events.

The Porter Peach Festival does not require any tickets or admission but the various vendor items do have their own costs. Parking is free and there are shuttles available to bring people in from far lots.

Organizers say cash and card are mostly accepted throughout the festival booths, but some places may only specifically accept one or the other so plan accordingly.