Saturday, May 21, skip the produce aisle at the supermarket and head to Keel and Curley Winery.
The Thonotosassa hotspot is hosting the second annual Peach Festival from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21. The winery first debuted the event last May, which yielded between 4,000 to 5,000 attendees.
“We had a great turnout last year,” Kristin Griffin, event coordinator, said. “We ran out of peaches.”
But it’s unlikely fruit fanatics will go home empty-handed. This year, three U-picks will take place during the festival for peaches, blueberries and blackberries.
Keel and Curley began promoting the event at the Blueberry Festival, held in April.
“Some people had been to it last year,” Griffin said. “A lot of people seemed pretty excited, especially for the U-picks. We’re hoping for at least the same amount of people, if not more.”
The Peach Festival began after nearly 10 years of success at the Blueberry Festival.
“It was started since the Blueberry Festival has been successful,” Griffin said. “We’re hoping to keep that going with the Peach Festival as well.”
The event is kid and pet friendly, with only a $5 dollar parking fee and fees for the U-picks. While kids enjoy face painting and kettle corn, adults can head to the bar to try the winery’s festival delicacies: peach beer, peach cider and peach chardonnay.
All of the fruit used in the beer and wine is either taken from the Keel and Curley farm, off of Hawk Griffin Road, or bought locally.
If the idea of sweet drinks isn’t appealing enough, the U-picks are sure to be a fan favorite — especially this year’s bonus blueberries and blackberries.
“The blackberries will be ready this year,” Griffin said. “Usually they’re not ready until after the Peach Festival.”
Guests will be able to enjoy more than their fair share of fruit at the festival. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., food vendors, including Smokin Aces’, Ben’s Pretzels and Sanford Jerky will be serving up their most popular dishes. Shopping fanatics can peruse a variety of unique items, from jewelry to soy candles.
The day of fun will wrap up with a 6 p.m. acoustic performance by Shane Meade, and the winery’s retail store will remain open until 11 p.m.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.