Big Peach Crop Celebrated

Jun 16, 2010 - 16:30:02 CDT.

STOPPING by the Donald Eckhardt Orchards outside of Fredericksburg for a taste of Gillespie County’s most famous crop is Stonewall Peach Queen Holly Crenwelge, daughter of Sidney and Donna Crenwelge. Miss Crenwelge and the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce are readying for the 49th Annual Stonewall Peach JAMboree and Rodeo Thursday through Saturday. Standard-Radio Post Photo by Yvonne Hartmann

It’s the kind of year peach growers and those who love peaches have been waiting for, and the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce is planning a “bumper-sized” celebration Thursday to Saturday to celebrate the county’s most famous crop.

Highlights of the 49th Annual Stonewall Peach JAMboree and Rodeo include a kick-off breakfast, two rodeo performances, two dances, parade, entertainment, auction and crowning of the new Stonewall Peach Queen and her court.

With the exception of the parade, which travels along the streets of Stonewall, activities take place on the Stonewall Chamber grounds and at the Stonewall Rodeo Arena.

The 49th Annual Stonewall Peach JAMboree and Rodeo kicks off tomorrow, Thursday, with a “Community Night”.

Gary Berg will be providing musical entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Cowboy Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) slack performances begin at 8 p.m.

It will be an early start on Friday when the kick-off breakfast is served from 6:30-8:30 a.m.

Cost of the breakfast, which will be at the new Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department Fire Station, is by donation.

Two CPRA Dodge Rodeo performances will be offered as part of the Stonewall Peach JAMboree and Rodeo.

Performances are set to get underway at 8 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights in the Stonewall Rodeo Arena.

Nightly dances are planned both Friday and Saturday, and are scheduled to get underway at about 9:30 p.m. each night on the outdoor dance pavilion.

Floats, cars, wagons and more will make their way along the streets of Stonewall as part of the annual parade on Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m.

Culinary artists are invited to enter the peach pie and cobbler baking contests or the peach preserves contest.

Entries will be taken from 8:30-10 a.m. on Saturday and the judging starts at 10:45 a.m.

Washer pitching gets underway at 1 p.m.

Armadillo races get underway around 2 p.m. and the peach eating and peach pit spit contest starts at 2:30 p.m.

The Hill Country Antique Tractor and Engine Club will be on hand Saturday with displays of engines and tractors.

Judging in the peach show is scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The prize-winning peaches along with the top pies, cobblers and preserves will be auctioned off to the highest bidders beginning at 4 p.m.

Ten coeds are seeking the title of Stonewall Peach Queen.

The Peach Queen and duchesses will be crowned during ceremonies that get underway at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.

New this year to the JAMboree schedule is a prize drawing on Friday and Saturday nights.

Barbecue by the pound will be available beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Thomas Hall by St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Admission to the grounds is free on Thursday night.

On Friday and Saturday nights, rodeo and dance admission is $15 for adults each night, $5 for children six to 12 years of age and free for children five and under.

Weekend passes, which are good for admission to both nights of the rodeo and dance, are available for $25 for adults.

Senior citizen (65 and over) admission is $10 each night.

In advance, the weekend passes are available in Stonewall at Weinheimer and Son, Cattleman’s National Bank, Stonewall One Stop and Stonewall Café.

In Fredericksburg, the weekend passes are available at Blanco National Bank.

For more information on the Stonewall Peach JAMboree and Rodeo, contact the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce at 830-644-2735 or visit www.stonewalltexas.com.

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