Love peaches? Head to downtown Marysville

Here’s a juicy – and free – event you can really sink your teeth into: The 26th annual Marysville Peach Festival.

Held in historic downtown Marysville about an hour north of downtown Sacramento, this family-oriented fest showcases the area’s top tree crop – peaches – in all their succulent glory. Billed as “the sweetest fest in the West,” the Peach Festival gets everybody in a peachy keen mood with lots of live music, local vendors selling peaches and peach products, fun food (mostly featuring peaches as an ingredient) and contests.

The fest officially opens Friday night (July 17) from 4 to 10 p.m. and continues all day Saturday (July 18) from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

“Enjoy dozens of delectable peach foods, desserts and beverages while visiting one of more than 185 vendors,” say the organizers. “Dance to the distinctive sounds of area bands serenading festival-goers at one of our two entertainment stages.”

Most of the activity centers around 3rd and D streets in the heart of historic downtown Marysville. (That intersection will be the site of the annual peach pie eating contest at noon Saturday.) Surrounding businesses also get into the act with peach cocktails at local watering holes and peach specials at restaurants.

This event usually attracts 30,000 patrons over its short run, say organizers. It’s a way Marysville can salute its signature fruit.

“In the valley heat of mid-summer, sweet juicy peaches achieve peak perfection and are carefully plucked from trees to be enjoyed by peach lovers around the world!” say the organizers. “The Northern California climate creates the perfect growing conditions for this delicious fruit, making it one of Yuba-Sutter’s top 10 commodities.”

The peach is “often called the ‘queen of fruits’ for its delicious flavor, rich nutritional value, and cultural significance,” they add. Contrary to other states’ reputations (we’re looking at you, Georgia), California is the No. 1 peach state, historically leading the nation in peach production.

As with most fruit this season, the peach crop is running two to three weeks early with several varieties ripening much earlier than usual. Taste for yourself at the festival; many vendors offer samples.