Bushels of peaches will roll into Gilbert for the 63rd annual Lexington County Peach Festival July 4. The festival that gives Gilbert its tagline is back for the second year post-pandemic, having taken two years off due to COVID-19.

Peaches will be available in a variety of different ways. People can buy fresh peaches as well as desserts and homemade delicacies made with peaches by volunteers who help pel between 50 and 60 bushels for concession stands, according to Blake Amick, a volunteer organizer for the festival. 

Titan Farms out of Ridge Spring donates peaches and then the Gilbert festival purchases additional bushels of peaches to sell. A bushel is about 50 pounds.

New to the festival this year will be a few outside food vendors and food trucks.

“We’ve never had any other party or vendor bring in food and this year we’re hoping to bring in some variety and lessen the burden on the volunteers for serving,” Amick said.

People can expect fresh lemonade and other carnival-type vendors. There will also be a couple of food trucks there in the evening before the fireworks show kicks off around 10 p.m.

Amick said there is “something big” planned for the fireworks show. People can expect a roughly 25-minute show this year, which is longer than usual.

While the fireworks show ends the festival, the parade kicks it all off at 9:30 a.m.. Amick said the parade runs a mile-long route down Main Street, with 70 entrants participating this year. Right before the parade kicks off, Don Bell, who owned the former Bell Aviation, will do a flyover in a single-propeller airplane.

The festival will also feature performances from five musical acts along with craft vendors and an antique car show.

The artists performing are Carly Rikard (kicking things off at 9:30 a.m.), Carter Lybrand, Luke Deuce, Maddie Rean, and headliner Tokyo Joe.

There is only one main stage for entertainment, Amick said. Before the pandemic, there would be additional stages, and in the future, he said the festival hopes to expand its selection again.

As for the vendors, Amick said they have more than 150 this year, having sold out all craft and vendor spaces available.

The car show, in its 24th year, is hosted by Gilbert Scouts Pack 60. It was actually started by the chorus department at Gilbert High School. This year, it will feature more than 100 cars.

The festival,  a tradition for many, is organized by the Gilbert Community Club, a local nonprofit. The event is held at and around the Gilbert Community Park, which is owned and maintained by the club.

“[It[ takes tons of money to maintain a park that size. We rely heavily on the success of the festival for the most part,” said Amick, explaining that proceeds from the event go to maintain the space in which it takes place.

The club also helps with scholarships for Gilbert High students, host students for Palmetto Boys and Girls State, Meals on Wheels and local Boy and Girl Scout clubs.

“This festival is such a tradition that people just show up to help and volunteer,” Amick said. “We just know certain families and community members show up to help out with jobs.”