The Lexington County Peach Festival returns this holiday weekend after a two-year COVID-19 interruption. The festival takes place July 4 all day in Gilbert with the Peach Pageants happening a couple of days prior on July 2 at Gilbert Elementary School.

The event is hosted by the Gilbert Community Club and dates back to 1958. According to one of the festival’s volunteers, Blake Amick, they are looking forward to celebrating the Fourth of July with neighbors and community members once again.

“The highlight of every festival is seeing generations of families come together in our small town,” he said.

People are still encouraged to take necessary precautions as Lexington County was in the midst of a second straight week of a high COVID Community Level according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, triggering a recommendation for people to mask in indoor public spaces in the county.

Amick said the primarily outdoor festival will follow COVID guidelines as stated by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.

“Every individual has a choice during these times and this year the Gilbert Community Club decided it was time to once again host our beloved event,” he said..

The festival attracts up to 35,000 people, according to its website, which touts it as one of the biggest festivals in the state.

People can still expect to see many vendors, entertainment acts and a variety of peach treats, but the festivities will be scaled back a little due to some supply chain issues, Amick said. 

Starting July 2, the Peach Queen pageants kick off at Gilbert Elementary School. The baby division begins at 10 a.m. and the junior division begins at 2:30 p.m. The Miss division will start at 7 p.m.

On July 4, the festival goes all day starting with the car show at 9 a.m. at Gilbert Middle and the parade commencing down Hampton and Main streets at 9:30 a.m. 

Arts and crafts vendors will be open from about 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Gilbert Community Park. There will also be plenty of peach treats available too. Live entertainment will also take place at the park between 9 and 11 a.m.

Fireworks will end the festival at 10 p.m. behind Gilbert Primary. 

The Lexington County Peach Festival is a 501c3 nonprofit, with all proceeds benefiting the Gilbert Community Club and community-based initiatives.

The club has awarded more than 350 student festival workers scholarships and they continue to assist with maintaining the Gilbert Community Park. The club also sponsors Gilbert High students at Palmetto Girls State and Palmetto Boys State, and they recognize Gilbert High athletes.

The club meets the first Thursday of the month at 713 Juniper Springs Road in Gilbert.