The State | Lexington County Peach Festival to feature 2 Coastal Carolina players

The State | Lexington County Peach Festival to feature 2 Coastal Carolina players

Coastal Carolina players Mike Morrison and Connor Owings are returning to their home town of Gilbert to take part in the parade and sign autographs afterward at the event’s welcome center, festival spokeswoman Robin McCartha said Friday.

Peach Pageants mark official start of festival events

Peach Pageants mark official start of festival events

The reigning Lexington County Peach Queen, Lindsey Morgan Roof, will crown her successor on Saturday, July 2.  Contestants vying for the title of 2016 Lexington County Peach Queen met with Lindsey and Pageant Chairs, Miriam Matthews and Kathy Hoffman at a tea on June 25.    Vying for the title of this year’s Peach Queen are Meagan Lynn Bostic, Catherine Hood Kirkland, Lexie deMoya, and Karoline Rose Kitchings.

Sheriff Koon named Grand Marshal for 58th Peach Festival

Sheriff Koon named Grand Marshal for 58th Peach Festival

This year’s Grand Marshal for the 58th  Lexington County Peach Festival parade will be Lexington County Sheriff Bryan “Jay” Koon.  The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. on July 4th.  Sheriff Koon, the 39th Sheriff of Lexington County, will also be the Festival’s 11 a.m. program speaker in the Gilbert Primary School cafetorium.  Weather permitting, the start of the parade will be signaled with a fly-over by Don Bell of Bell Aviation in an N3N. Bell’s plane was built in 1940 at the Naval Aircraft factory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  It was used in World War II for training. 

Local Students showcase creativity in Peach Art Contest 2016

Local Students showcase creativity in Peach Art Contest 2016

With help from art teachers at each of the Gilbert public schools, the Lexington County Peach Festival recently recognized winners of the 2016 Peachy Art awards.  These awards are sponsored annually by Michelin.  Students from kindergarten age through high school were honored for their creative talent.  

The State | Photos: Lexington County Peach Festival 2015

The State | Photos: Lexington County Peach Festival 2015

Volunteers in Gilbert prepare for the 57th Annual Lexington County Peach Festival on Friday, July 3, 2015. The festival is held every year on July 4 in Gilbert. Here, Rachel Bass, 14, Courtney Price, 13, and Darci Craps, 13, unbox fresh peaches before washing them in the sink to prepare them for peeling. The volunteers are all students at Gilbert Middle School.

Lindsey Morgan Roof Crowned Miss Lexington County Peach Queen

Lindsey Morgan Roof, Daughter of Gilman and Suzanne Roof of Lexington

We are very excited to announce the new Miss Lexington County Peach Queen, Lindsey Morgan Roof. Miss Roof was crowned on June 27th, 2015.

The Queen's court was also crowned in various divisions and age groups. View all division winners on our pageant page. Formal announcement to follow.

The State | Be There: Lexington County Peach Festival

The State | Be There: Lexington County Peach Festival

What started in 1959 as a Fourth of July community political “stump meeting” hosted by the Gilbert Community Club is now known as one of the largest festivals in South Carolina, bringing an estimated 35,000 people to the Lexington County town of Gilbert each year.

“It was started by a group of ladies who had the idea to have politicians come and meet with community members,” said Robin McCartha, publicity co-chair of the Peach Festival. “They quickly realized they could turn it into a community fundraiser by selling some drinks and cakes, and because we have a lot of peaches in Lexington County, they decided to make the desserts with peaches as a way to kind of honor the peach. I doubt they had any idea it would go on or grow as it has.”

Contestants set to compete in 2015 Lexington County Peach Queen Pageants

The reigning Lexington County Peach Queen, Kaylee Cuthbertson, will crown her successor on Saturday, June 27.  Contestants vying for the title of 2015 Lexington County Peach Queen met with Kaylee and Pageant Chairs, Miriam Matthews and Kathy Hoffman at a tea on June 20.    Vying for the title of this year’s Peach Queen are Jamie Vaughn, Lindsey Roof, Cat Corey, and Meera Rutuparna Bhonsle’.

Peach Queens present Governor Nikki Haley with Lexington County peaches

The 2014 Lexington County Peach Queens have completed one of their final honors as they presented Governor Nikki Haley with Lexington County peaches.  Lexington County Peach Queen Kaylee Cuthbertson was joined by Miss Young Peach Tessa Arquette, Miss Little Peach Sarah Adkins, and Miss Wee Peach Bailey Rowe as they visited the Governor at the South Carolina State House on June 16.