18th Annual N.C. Peach Festival expected to be biggest yet

As published in Get This! on July 10, 2014

By Hugh Martin
biscoewriter@yahoo.com

Note: Since the deadline for this story, the 2014 NC Peach Festival has announced new additions to the festival, including a Petting Zoo, a 150' Zip Line, Camel Rides and Gem Mining.

Also, according to Tammy Kellis: Helicopter rides will be on Railroad Street, behind Fitzgerald Park. There will be free parking off Railroad Street - easy to get to - turn on Debra Street from NC Highway 211 - then left on Railroad St. - complimentary golf cart transportation is provided for handicapped and elderly to and from the parade route and park.

CANDOR – The Town of Candor will be bursting at the seams July 19 as the N.C. Peach Festival kicks off the 18th year of celebrating the sweet, fuzzy fruit. The peach has defined Candor for over 100 years, and the town pays homage to the fruit every year on the third Saturday in July.

Blown-glass peaches, handmade at STARworks, are now available at The Town Hall in Candor and will also be available at the 2014 N.C. Peach Festival booth. (Contributed photo)

The festival started small, but Tammy Kellis, festival organizer and town clerk, says that this will be the biggest year yet.

“We just booked ‘Your Town’s Got Talent’ for the 2014 festival,” Kellis announced July 2. “Come on out for a chance for your karaoke singing to be shown on WCWG Channel 20.”

Kellis said that sign-up information will be available as the date nears. This will be the first year this event is held in conjunction with the N.C. Peach Festival.

Teresa Thomas, the 'Candor Peach,' can be found with many admirers during the N.C. Peach Festival in Candor. (Photo by N.C. Peach Festival)

Perennial musical favorite, the Sand Band, will anchor the entertainment, performing their award-winning Carolina Beach Music along with lots of rock ‘n’ roll standards.

The McKenzie Brothers will add a taste of country music to the event, with this being their first year appearing.

The event starts at 10 a.m. with the annual N.C. Peach Festival Parade, which travels down North Main Street from Church Street to the area near the Candor Elementary School on South Main Street.

The Marine Corps League Color Guard will lead the parade, followed by the grand marshal, retired peach grower Wayland Hicks.

N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler will follow the grand marshal with the giant shopping cart, which is the N.C. Department of Agriculture’s promotional vehicle for North Carolina-grown farm commodities.

Shrine clubs in Stanly, Harnett and Moore counties will entertain the crowd with clowns, crazy vehicles, hillbillies and mini-race cars.

All 4 Fun Inflatables will be featured again with a selection of bouncy fun for the kids.

Speaking of kids, they are always delighted to meet Sir Purr, the mascot of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise, who will be making an appearance again at this year’s N.C. Peach Festival and Parade.

With this being an election year, you can expect to see an assortment of politicians seeking votes.

Of course, you will find tractors, peach farmers and the guest of honor, North Carolina peaches!

The 2014 North Carolina Peach Queen, Hannah Williams, will be on hand throughout the festivities. Winners of the previous evening’s 2014 Peachy Feet running event will be introduced.

Nearly 200 vendors will line the streets around Fitzgerald Park in downtown Candor. The choices of peach ice cream, peach pies and a plethora of other foods will be available.

Handicapped parking will be available and a courtesy shuttle will be available to transport handicapped and elderly festival-goers to and from the park.

For more information, visit the website for the Town of Candor, www.townofcandornc.com, or call Candor Town Hall at (910) 974-4221.