Louisiana Peach Festival

The time has once again rolled around for the annual Louisiana Peach Festival. As long as I can remember, there has been a Peach Festival. My earliest memory is of Farmerville girls coming over and winning the coveted Miss Peach Queen Contest. I am certain some of the Ruston girls-way back then-were not too happy with these girls making the 20 mile trip and stealing their crown.

My next conscious memory of the Festival comes as a young adult with a small child. I must say my best memories involve taking my children to various events. The Festival has transformed over the years and finally morphed into a 3 day annual event which also coincides with the ripening of the peach crop.

The peach crop has dwindled over the last few years with the onset of a fungus that is slowly killing all of the trees. DIRE and disastrous news for our area. It seems that when long long ago oak trees were downed to make way for the orchards that root systems were often left in the ground. These root systems have now created some sort of fungus that attacks the tree roots and is slowly killing the fruit bearing trees. SAD SAD NEWS!

I asked BC last night if he was interested in attending any part of the Festival. I was given a HASTY, "No Thanks". We have attended and participated in many of the events in the past, but usually no longer participate. The big crowds and this year the EXTREME heat make it an ordeal and a test of your patience. The organizers have done such a grand job of putting this annual gala on that it now draws hordes of people with the ensuing traffic, parking, and various other problems.

I will be in town EARLY tomorrow for our weekly long run, but long gone before the hordes descend. BC and I usually drive through town just at dusk to survey the damage, but we will be holed up in Vienna tomorrow. If you enjoy festivals with the arts and crafts and all the great activities, this is one of the best offered in Louisiana. Come on down and have a "Peach" of a time!