The city of Weatherford is preparing for the annual Parker County Peach Festival, which will take place on July 13. The festival celebrates the delicious fruit, which has historical roots in the town.
Since 1984, the city of Weatherford has hosted this event which offers visitors the opportunity to shop with over 200 local vendors and indulge in various peach delicacies. The Parker County Peach Festival offers savory and sweet eats, from traditional peach cobblers to peach ribs, per a press release issued by the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce.
The festival will include a variety of food options and other food-related events, such as a food competition and live entertainment. The city’s press release stated that visitors can also be a part of history in the making, as a peach cobbler weighing over 5,000 pounds will be made.
The annual Peach Pedal Bike Race coincides with the festival and offers a variety of race distances for participants. Proceeds from registration help fund the United Way of Parker County and several other non-profits, including CASA, Center of Hope, and Hearts Full of Love.
The peach legacy began for Parker County in 1938 when J.K. Johnson Sr. planted his first peach tree. The Johnson family orchard eventually grew to include over 3,000 trees on 65 acres, NBC 5 DFW reported. Little did he know that his orchard would be the catalyst for this beloved festival.
J.K. Johnson Jr. and his wife, Esther Mae Johnson, eventually sold their peach orchard in 1980 to the current owners, the Hutton family. Under the Hutton family, the orchard has expanded to over 5,000 trees and includes the Weatherford Farmers Market, which sells peaches and other locally-produced goods, according to NBC 5.
Entry to the Parker County Peach Festival costs $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12. Tickets are available online only on the Parker County Peach Festival website.