Manchester Peach Festival Alive And Well And Turning 73

MANCHESTER, CT — The Manchester Peach Festival is alive and well and ready for its 73rd year.

That was the word Monday from Joseph McGuire, a board member of the newly formed Manchester Fire Support Group and the co-chairman for the 2024 festival.

The peach festival was a mainstay public event for the old 8th Utilities District fire company.

The fire support group was formed after the Eighth District and Manchester Fire Rescue EMS were merged into the Manchester Fire Department.

"This meant that the 8th District, its beloved community events, and its charitable traditions had also fallen temporarily at that time. From its heart, our non-profit was created from volunteers who wanted to continue the 135 years of charitable contributions to community members who were affected by fire and its associated tragedies, burn centers, and so much more," McGuire said. "Our group also took over the preservation of the 8th Districts history, and more importantly, the beloved community events such as the Manchester Peach Festival."

McGuire said it's been a frustrating few months since the merger took effect on July 1. He said almost immediately, local know-it-alls took to social media with comments that the peach festival was gone.

"Rumors fueled that fire, and we want to extinguished them completely," McGuire said. "This year it will be turning 73."

With that, McGuire said the old Eight District wants to make the peach festival "all about community" and turn it into "not just a north end event but into a town-wide event."

Instead of the old Eighth District firehouse, this year's peach festival will be located at MARC Inc. at 151 Sheldon Road. A band called "Nightshift" has been booked to play its who play '60s, '70s and '80s music hits.

As always, the freshly made peach deserts will highlight the event.

More details will be announced soon, McGuire said.

The date for the 73rd edition of the peach festival is Aug. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets will be kept at $6 per person, and all proceeds will go toward the group's charitable donations and "the community traditions the 8th District once provided before its merge."

"Yes, this event is five months out, but I think after all this rain, the clouds, and poor choices from our local ground hog, Chuckles, we could use another community ray of sunshine," McGuire said. "The Manchester Fire Support Group and its dedicated volunteers aren't letting the Peach Festival and former 8th District events go anywhere, it’s here to stay for hopefully many more years with the help of our amazing community."

McGuire said interested volunteers and sponsors can contact the group via its Facebook page.