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Love and Tradition Sweeten Peach Prep for 60th Annual Lexington County Peach Festival

A tradition that's been going for 60 years remains fruitful in Gilbert. Folks worked in the kitchen Tuesday to prepare peaches for the annual Lexington County Peach Festival.

Gilbert, SC (WLTX) — People in Gilbert are prepping for the Lexington County Peach Festival on July 4th.

The event has been going on for 60 years, now. The festival is a tradition that you can always count on each year on Independence Day.

Families that have been helping run it for decades gathered Tuesday at Gilbert Primary School to get peaches ready for the peachy dishes featured at the festival.

"The peach is what put Gilbert on the map to begin with," said Shelba Howard, coordinator for the festival.

The weather has been an issue for the last couple of years. Hard freezes have killed local peach crops and they haven't been as plenty as in years past. Fortunately this year is a little different story.

"The peaches are coming from Titan, located in Ridge Spring. Last year, their crop didn't do as well and we had to purchase from other areas. But Titan came through for us many, many years and just donated all the peaches that we use for the festival," explained Howard.

Volunteers of all ages have come to the school on Tuesday to work in the kitchen to make the big dishes. Some are peeling peaches to help make ice cream and peach cobbler.

Allison Harman says her great grandmother helped start the festival. She's 20-years-old, which means she's spent 20 years helping put the festival together.

"It doesn't get old. It's always fun. It's a great time for everyone in the community to come together and put on a show and really show them what Gilbert's about, give them a taste of southern hospitality, and have a good time," explained Harman.

Speaking of community, students who volunteer for several years are eligible to earn a scholarship for when they go to college.

The festival starts Wednesday at 9 am with a parade and will go on into the night. Fireworks are set to begin at 10 pm. Admission to the festival is free.

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