Visitors to Friday’s peach festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, hosted by the NOTL Chamber of Commerce, were met with a surprising sight — no local growers selling fresh peaches.
Despite organizers’ efforts to secure farmers for Aug. 8, the opening day of the two-day festival, growers said they were busy picking fruit and couldn’t spare the staff to run stands, said Emelyn Williams, events manager for the Chamber and Tourism NOTL.
“We definitely have learning lessons based on day one,” said Williams.
The goal was to have growers on-site both Friday and Saturday, she said, but the talks fell through, and the three who agreed to attend were only available on Saturday.
“Everybody that we spoke with said they were busy picking the peaches on the Friday,” she said. “Then, we contacted a few other growers, who unfortunately said the same.”
“We did try our best,” she said.
Festivalgoers could still find peach-themed products, though.
Butter tarts, nachos, plus $1 single peaches sold by Avo & Co. and free peaches handed out by NOTL Local, she said.
“Maybe we can do something a little bit different next year, so people aren’t disappointed if they come here expecting growers to be here,” she said.
While there, Williams said about five to 10 visitors came to her to express their disappointment. The NOTL Ambassadors Association reported receiving questions from visitors, too.
“Feedback that, obviously, is important,” she said.
Once visitors were told growers were busy harvesting, most were relatively understanding, she said.
The Chamber also encouraged visitors at the festival to seek out NOTL peaches at farm stands along Niagara Stone Road.
“I would say most people felt positively,” she said.
Saturday had three farms set up selling fresh peaches: Lepp Farms, Seaway Farms and Sam’s Peach Haven, said Williams.
But growers’ schedules are not wide open right now, which makes sense, Williams said: “We’re in the thick of peach season.”
“Hopefully, we’ll get more buy-in from our local growers,” she said about future festivals. “Even if it’s not for the entire day one.”
Perhaps, she said, it would be best to have some growers attend Friday and others Saturday — regardless, the key takeaway is that organizers and visitors want growers present on both days.
“That’s definitely something that we’ll be pushing for as we plan for 2026,” said Williams.
With the whole purpose of the festival being to support the peach industry, she said growers are “an important voice in the matter” and their availability will play a key role.
“We want to cater to them, too,” said Williams.
“This is all in celebration of the growers.”
