Thousands of patrons descended on Johnston each year to enjoy the day set aside to honor the peach industry, which has been so important in the development of the area. Each year, the town goes all out with the festival to remind citizens about the peach industry and to open its arms to visitors.
On Saturday, downtown Johnston will be filled with great entertainment, arts and crafts, food concessions and area for children as the the Johnston Peach Blossom Festival marks its 40th year. There also will be a cruise-in and parade to celebrate the occasion.
This year's parade Grand Marshal is Georgia Roberson Mason.
Mason is a 1960 graduate of the Edgefield County Colored High School, where she was a cheerleader, majorette and a basketball player. She received her CNA certification from Piedmont Technical College and was employed by Reynolds Memorial Nursing Home in Edgefield for nine years. She is the mother of three, and she is the proud grandmother of five granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.
When she was 18, she became an election poll worker for Edgefield County. In that time, all votes were counted and tallied by hand, resulting in late nights and early mornings. She was later nominated to serve as an election commissioner for the Town of Johnston. In 1980, she became the chairperson of the election commission for the Town of Johnston and has faithfully served in this capacity for 44 years.
She is also an active and resolute member of Rosa Springs Baptist Church. “I am living a blessed life, and I do love the Lord,” said the 80-year-old Mason.
The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. with craft and food vendors opening at 9 a.m.
The Cruise-In will be available for viewing after the parade through about 3 p.m. in the parking lot of All About Performance (formerly Jim Satcher Motors).
All events are held in historic downtown Johnston.
Entertainment
Entertainment begins at 9 a.m. with the JET Middle School Chorus. At 9:30 a.m., the Rosa Spring Baptist Church Choir takes the stage. At 10 a.m., will be a prayer of dedication by the Rev. Winston Oliphant of Rosa Hill Baptist Church followed by the national anthem, performed by Jessica Johnson of Strom Thurmond High School.
Beginning at 11:15 a.m. Johnston Mayor Thomas Holmes will provide the welcome and recognize dignitaries.
At 11:30 a.m., the Johnston Elementary School Chorus will perform, followed by the Palmetto Stompers, a clogging group from Abbeville at 12:15 p.m.
On the entertainment stage from 1-2 p.m., will be Band of Ages, which will play classic rock hits. They will be followed at 2:15 p.m. by Rhythm and Class Cloggers from North Augusta and the the entertainment will wrap up with Amick Junction from Saluda providing live music beginning at 3 p.m.
The entertainment is free and concludes about 4 p.m.
Fishing tournament
In addition to the cruise-in and vendors, a Bass Fishing Tournament will also be held.
Anglers who want to show their fishing abilities can sign up for the Bass Fishing Tournament. The tournament will be held May 4, the same day as the festival. Check-in starts at 6 a.m. with weigh-in held in downtown Johnston shortly after 1 p.m.
The entry fee is $50, which includes $10 for big fish pot. This tournament is pond fishing only. Payback is based on 20 boats on the five-fish limit tournament, including a first place prize of $400, second prize of $240, and third prize of $160, along with $150 for the largest bass and $50 for the second largest.
Entry deadline is Friday, May 3.
For a complete list of rules and to enter, call Cindy Sullivan at 803-275-2594.
Night of games
Prior to the start of the festival, the Edgefield Chamber of Commerce will hold a night of games and a Friday night street dance.
The Night of Games will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2, in the American Legion Building at 99 Edisto St., Johnston. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and proceeds Proceeds benefit Chamber programs.
Game cards are $10 for one card or $15 for two cards for 18-20 games.
The street dance will be held Friday, May 3, in front of Johnston Town Hall on Mims Avenue. The dance will run from 7-10 p.m. Spinning the tunes at this year’s dance will be Travis Scott with Elevated AV Productions.
The Johnston Peach Blossom Festival Premier Sponsor is AT&T.
Other Corporate Sponsors are Edgefield County Health Care, J.W. Yonce and Sons, Spanky’s Service Center/Ridge Auto Parts and Supply, Dominion Energy, Herlong Ford, U.S. Fibers, Bridgestone, KJs Market, Gas Pro, Herlong Financial Group, National Wild Turkey Federation, Regions Bank, SRP Federal Credit Union, Creative Catering by Doug Landreth and First Citizens Bank.
The Johnston Peach Blossom Festival Premier Entertainment Sponsor is Three Star Vineyard and Orchard.
Other Peach Blossom Festival Entertainment Sponsors are Dr. Hugh Morgan Family Practice, Moorecraft Cabinets, Trantech Radiator Products, Pendarvis Chevrolet, Generac, and Titan Farms.
The Johnston Development Corporation, a nonprofit volunteer organization, sponsors the festival. The corporation works to aid the community in areas such as economic development, education, recreation, historic preservation, tourism, scientific and cultural opportunities, and continued promotion of Johnston.
For more information, visit johnstondevelopmentcorp.org.
