23rd annual peach festival returns despite crop shortage

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The 23rd annual Peach Festival was in full swing on Sunday afternoon at the Chattanooga Market.

Visitors from all around came to buy quality peaches and goods.

However, due to two late frosts that came in March, local farmers faced challenges during peach season.

“The peach shortage this year, that’s our main crop. We had to diversify a little bit more and grow a few more vegetables on the side to help make up, you know, for some of the peach loss,” Michael Hazelrig of Hazelrig Farms said.

Because of the quantity issue, some people started lining up very early in the morning.

Vendors saw a great turnout saying this may be the biggest crowd yet.

“Man, it is awesome. It is probably one of the largest peach festivals that we’ve had, and it couldn’t be any better. I mean it’s a great place to be down here every Sunday,” Trey Deck of Melon Patch Farms said.

While farmers had a harder time with their crops this year, they managed to sell a large amount of  peaches.

“People started coming in at 9:30. They wanted to make sure they got peaches. I’m almost sold out of the fresh salsa and the jams and jellies, so it’s been a great day,” Lannie Hart of Daylilies LLC said.

The festival happens every year and is always a local favorite.

Despite issues approaching the festival, local farmers continued to provide quality peaches for the public.

“Quality is still great, we just don’t have the quantity that we usually do. It has been, honestly the past eight years that I’ve worked this, this is probably the busiest peach festival I’ve seen … It’s been amazing. Everyone is in a great mood and enjoying the peaches,” Katelin Worsham with the Georgia Peach Truck said.

Local farmers and vendors were happy to have had yet another successful peach festival with a great community turnout.

“You know we’re just thankful. We appreciate people coming out and supporting us, and we’ll be back next week,” Deck said.

Visit the Chattanooga Market online for information about more upcoming events.