Feelin' Peachy: Neal Creek Hosts 2nd Annual Peach Festival

Despite the rainfall, the Neal Creek Peach Festival in Belvidere brimmed with lively festival activities and the soulful sounds of bluegrass and gospel music. Held in late July and hosted by Jeff and Linda Johnson, the event drew residents from Franklin County and beyond. A vibrant mix of food trucks, local vendors, and artists came together to celebrate the festival’s second year, offering a joyful space for community connection, family fun, and hometown shopping.

Children laughed and played among the many bounce houses scattered across the festival grounds, while food trucks served up beloved local flavors, from smoky barbecue to refreshing lemonade. Next to the barn, a cozy petting zoo was nestled near the bridge, offering a delightful surprise and greeting guests as they arrived or departed across the babbling creek than ran through the property.  Vendors and artists took care in setting up their tents and booths, giving attendees the opportunity to shop locally or take home a piece of art that was created by a local artist.  Creations like homemade jams and jellies, baked goods, permanent jewelry, homemade dog treats and jewelry made from silverware were just a few of the unique items that were available for purchase.

Attendees embraced the slower pace, trading spectacle for sincere conversations and small-town warmth. Under umbrellas and vendor tents, neighbors caught up over sweet tea and baked goods, while children bounced in rain-slicked inflatable houses, undeterred by the drizzly weather.

Local artists shared not only their work but stories behind each piece, enthusiastically explaining how a spoon became a bracelet, or how a batch of jam was made from a peach tree that had been planted by a family member. It was this personal touch that seemed to define the day as community moments were filled with meaning at every vendor booth.

Bluegrass Gospel band Final Crossing entertains attendees at the Neal Creek Peach Festival held late last month in Belvidere.

Kelsey Woods, owner of ECK Design, noted what the day meant to her, not only as a vendor at the event, but as a member of the Franklin County community. 

“The Peach Festival has become a great community event.”, stated Woods.  “This is my second year setting up as a vendor, and it’s honestly such a fun way to connect with people, enjoy the summer, and be part of something that brings the whole town together.”

Even with a smaller venue size and weather that wouldn’t cooperate, the festival offered a chance for Belvidere to show off its heart. Volunteers guided visitors through puddled walkways and over bridges with smiles, and families lingered just a little longer to take in the music, browse handcrafted goods, or simply enjoy the company.

As the clouds began to part near sunset, many stayed to savor the view that reflected a peachy glow over Neal Creek, wrapping up a day that may not have been packed with sunshine, but left a lasting impression nonetheless.