Peaches and more peaches!
Despite cold March temps affecting local peach crops, First Reformed Church hosts annual Peach Festival
Peaches and more peaches topped with ice cream were served to families at First Reformed United Church of Christ in Hamburg.
Families enjoyed a night of fun along with fresh peaches and ice cream at the annual Peach Festival on Aug. 12.
But the annual festival of peaches almost did not happen.
“Unfortunately, at the end of March the unusually cold local temperatures and high winds froze the tiny peach blossoms resulting in many local orchards losing all or much of their peach crop this year,” said Susan Leiby of First Reformed Church in a statement reporting on the day’s festivities.
With concerted effort, First Reformed Church in Hamburg, under the direction of Joy Ostrander, diligently searched to find available peaches to once again provide its annual
Peach Festival for the community, she said.
“And a sweet event it was,” said Leiby.
All participants received peaches and ice cream, a drink, plus a baked good of their choice. Jessica Conlin and Lois Hertzog dipped ice cream and Al Muller added peaches.
“Then the night moved onto an old fashioned cake walk with live music provided by Don Schilke, the distribution of raffle prizes to a substantial number of winners and a host of games for the little ones,” said Leiby.
Siblings Abbigail, Hannah and Isaac Hamm enjoyed the games including the coin toss while neighbors of the church shared a night out together.
“Enjoying all of this for the first time was our new friend and parishioner Paulin Baulim from Romania who really seemed to enjoy all the camaraderie and activity,” she added.