Around gilbert & summit

Extremely hot weather and high humidity didn’t keep thousands from attending the 61st Lexington County 4th of July Peach Festival in Gilbert. Many people parked their pickup trucks and cars the day prior to the festival on Main Street in Gilbert. It is a tradition for many to do this so they will have a good view of the parade.

Bell Aviation sent its antique planes over the festival just prior to the parade. This year, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department officers and the Lexington County First Responders were the parade Grand Marshals. After the parade ended, the Morning Program was held in the Gilbert Community Park amphitheater.

Al Harman welcomed everyone. He said 61 years ago there were peach farms in Gilbert and where we have the festival once peach trees grew.

Harmon thanked the volunteers and said there are over 700 volunteers who have helped make the festival a success.

Some of the guests who attended and spoke were U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, Lexington County Councilman Larry Brigham, SC Attorney General Alan Wilson, state Reps. Paula Rawl Calhoun and Cal Forest, state Sens. Katrina Shealy and Shane Massey.

Congratulations to the Peachy contest winners: “Adult Peach Cobbler” recipe: Denise Birt, first place; Sammy Howard, second place, and honorable mention Susan Bernath. “Other Peach Dessert” winners are: Denise Birt, first place, Mindy Smith second place, and honorable mention Holly Sue Bruner. Rece Howard won a first place in the “Other Peach Dessert” student division.

Congratulations to parade winners: In the Business Group, Learn 1 Grown Child Development Center, first place; Little Miss and Teen Miss SC Pageant, second place; and Eagle Eye Driving Academy, third place. In the Civic Group Division, First Baptist Church of Gilbert, first place; Jesus is His Name, second place; and American Legion Post 217, third place.

Miriam Matthews announced the winners of the 2019 Peach Festival Queens: Miss Lexington County Peach Festival Queen Brooklynn Hope Sims, Miss Teen Peach Mary Cassidy Sutton, Miss Young Peach Reagan Elizabeth Hendrix, Miss Petite Peach Arianna Allison Markatine, Miss Little Peach Kennedy Olivia Fair, and Miss Wee Peach Nevaeh Rae Hallman.

Everyone enjoyed the various bands that performed throughout the day, the annual car show and the finale of the festival, the awesome fireworks. The Lexington County Peach Festival is sponsored by the Gilbert Community Club. Proceeds support the Gilbert Community Club, Gilbert Community Park, other community civic organizations, and provide scholarships to local student volunteers.

Many thanks to all of the volunteers and others who have made the Peach Festival such a success.