The sweetest Saturday of the summer arrives July 11 as the 41st annual Parker County Peach Festival takes over Historic Downtown Weatherford from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The festival, held each year on the second Saturday in July and managed by the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, celebrates Parker County's agricultural heritage — and its famous peaches — with more than 200 arts, crafts, food and activity booths, two entertainment stages, two children's areas with carnival rides, the Peach Pedal bike ride, a "42" domino tournament and the annual peach food competition.
The event comes off back-to-back honors, earning the "Best in Texas" award from the Texas Festival and Events Association in 2025 and the Pinnacle Award from the International Festival and Events Association in 2024.
The Main Stage, located at Waco and Church streets in the First Baptist Church parking lot, opens at 8 a.m. with the introduction of the Miss Parker County Peach Pageant winners, followed by Baileigh Rhodes at 9 a.m., Tejas Classics at 10:30 a.m., the announcement of the peach food competition winners at noon, Kendi Jean at 12:30 p.m., Travis Smith at 2:15 p.m. and Bronson Louis at 3:15 p.m.
Stage Two, on the lot at Bridge and North Waco streets, features Jim Griffith, the Klassy Kloggers, Jim Martin and Rusty Raburn, Leah Deal & Co., the Kelly Clements Trio and Aiden Muskrat throughout the day.
Fresh peaches will be sold on Palo Pinto Street, at Spring and North Waco streets, and at Bridge and York streets, with peach cobbler and peach ice cream available at stands around the square.
Festivities begin before Saturday. Second Star Theatre Co. presents "James and the Giant Peach" at Venue on Main, 113 N. Main St., July 7-10, and the Doss Heritage and Culture Center, 1400 Texas Drive, hosts the Gabe Vick Memorial "42" domino tournament and the Peach Festival art show, on display through July 25.
Festival goers can take Interstate 20 exits 403, 406, 408, 409 A or B, 410 or 413. Free parking with air-conditioned Weatherford ISD shuttle buses is available at the Ninth Grade Center, 1007 S. Main St.; Weatherford College, 225 College Park Drive; and Heritage Park, 317 Santa Fe Drive. Handicap parking and shuttle service are available at the Ninth Grade Center.
Organizers note that all bags and persons are subject to search, and large bags, ice chests and coolers are prohibited. Pets are discouraged because hot pavement can burn their paws. The First Baptist Church gym, near the main entrance on Palo Pinto Street, will be open as a cooling station, and hydration sponsors will hand out free water at misting tents throughout the festival.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12, with children 4 and under admitted free. Tickets are available at tickets.parkercountypeachfestival.org. The festival's first-ever VIP Peach Grove experience has already sold out.
For more information, visit parkercountypeachfestival.org or call the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce at 817-596-3801.
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