After Lexington County Peach Festival organizers announced the cancellation of the 66th festival planned for Independence Day a couple of weeks ago, citing “many of our key organizing members will be attending the 250th anniversary celebration of our nation's founding in Washington, D.C.,” it was announced that the festival is back on for 2026, and volunteers are needed.

The announcement was made on the Lexington County Peach Festival’s Facebook page, as well as on their website, on Feb. 27. It is not clear if the regular festival organizers will still attend the celebration in Washington, D.C.

“When the decision was made to cancel earlier this month, it broke our hearts,” Gilbert Community Club members stated on the Peach Festival’s Facebook page. “The decision reflected a clear and realistic evaluation of where we stood at the time, planning challenges and uncertainties outside our control made it feel like we couldn’t move forward in a way that honored what this festival deserves.”

The organizers went on to say in their post that the festival takes “nine months of planning” and “16+ hour days.”

When the cancellation was initially announced, community members left over 300 disapproving comments below the cancellation announcement post. Organizers said that, due to the community’s response, new volunteers stepping forward and support from sponsors and leaders, the festival is back on.

The Chronicle spoke with Gilbert Mayor John Reeder, who mentioned town council would discuss a smaller alternative when the festival was initially cancelled. With the festival resuming, there is no need for an alternative now.

“I’m glad they changed their minds,” Reeder said. “The town was prepared to step up.”

The town and the Gilbert Community Club are separate entities; the club is a non-profit. 

Lexington County Peach Festival volunteer sign-ups and vendor applications are open, and can be found on the event website. 

The Gilbert Community Club has not responded to requests for comment from the Chronicle.

“We’re moving forward because this festival is deeply important to us; it’s deeply important to you, our friends, neighbors and community,” festival organizers said on social media. “Thank you for believing in it. Thank you for standing up with us. Thank you for loving this tradition as much as we do. We cannot wait to celebrate with you again.”

The festival is scheduled for July 4, 2026, at Gilbert Community Park, located at 110 Rikard Circle in Gilbert. Attendance is free.

The car show will go from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; carnival rides will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; the craft vendor market will go from 9 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m.; the food vendor market will go from 9 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.; the Peach Parade will be at 9:30 a.m.; live music will be from noon to 9:15 p.m.; fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m.

Learn more at lexingtoncountypeachfestival.com.