This last weekend, the Marysville Peach Festival, started by the Sodaro family 24 years ago, has brought many families and businesses together in a peach-ious gem of all things peach and love.
The triple-digit heat and the fire that destroyed the historic downtown Marysville hotel, which still has parts of the freeway and roads around the hotel blocked off, prompted people to think and debate if the Peach Festival would be moved from where it’s usually held annually, according to KCRA who talked with the event coordinator who confirmed those worries, but the festival still went on as planned.
The event is centered around all things peach, from deep-fried peaches, peach margaritas, and yes of course peach cobbler, not only brings families and the community together, offers vendors from all over the area, and even the businesses downtown see such a huge boost during the event, most even offer some kind of discounts during the festival.
The Mrs. and Miss Peach Festival is a pageantry held by Heartshine that has been held at the Peach Festival in recent years. On July 20, Mrs. Peach Festival 2024 Athena Orlando was the only one representing Peach Royalty at the Peach Festival. “Meeting new people is the best part of the festival and being part of the Peach Royalty.” She also would like to add, “People get involved and sign up to be a part of the Peach Royalty and sign up with Heartshine.” If you are interested in signing up, you can at www.Heartshine.net.
Everyone comes to the Peach Festival for one thing or another. Jeff and his wife, who are first-time festival-goers, said, “The peach smoothies and food are the best part of the festival,” while others thought it was the live music that played at night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Then there was the other half who came for the contests, either to observe or participate.
The pie-eating contest, for one, was the biggest hit at the festival. Most of the people the Roadrunner talked with were most excited about the contest. It happened at noon, and even when the pie flipped and hit the table and ground, participants were still eating the pie hoping for the champion title and trophy.
Manny Cordoza, the former Vice Mayor of Marysville, was hailed as the 2024 Peach Festival pie-eating contest champion. “This is my comeback. I’ve got my title back,” he said with pie all over his face and excitement. He also added, “Water was a key factor in my success.”
Many of the booths at the event proceeds benefit the local community schools and businesses.
If you missed the 24th annual Peach Festival, don’t worry, be peachy. There is always next year.
