Popular Hamilton festival wants to make your summer peachier

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Published August 22, 2023 at 12:18 pm

COURTESY WINONA PEACH FESTIVAL VIA FACEBOOK
COURTESY WINONA PEACH FESTIVAL VIA FACEBOOK

Your summer may get peachier now that another popular festival is almost here.

The free Winona Peach Festival is bringing many of summer’s favourite traditions with rides, candied apples, live music, circus performers, and all sorts of food and entertainment for families and individuals of all ages. And of course, you can purchase fresh peaches along with other fruits and vegetables from local farmers.

The main stage entertainment at Winona Park begins Friday night. The children’s entertainment will be from Saturday morning to early afternoon.  

The festival runs all weekend during the following dates and times:

  • Friday, Aug. 25 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 26  from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The festival has a lineup of entertainment for all ages. Hang out at the Midway for the games and rides, from some that sound as adventurous as “Freak Out” and “Cliff Hanger” to kid-favourites like the merry-go-round and jumping castle. Join more than 75 crafters at the Arts and Crafts section. Over 100 vendors will be at the Commercial Exhibits area. The Main Stage/Safari Children’s Dentistry Stage will have more entertainment, such as Calvin’s Magic Show, a dance party, children’s activities and the Zacada circus show.

COURTESY WINONA PEACH FESTIVAL

COURTESY WINONA PEACH FESTIVAL

Early birds get discounts for Midway rides before Friday

If you get tickets before Friday, you can get discounts from 25 per cent to 35 per cent on presale Midway tickets. For instance, it’s $40 for 35 tickets. Each Midway ride costs between one to three tickets. They are available until Thursday, Aug. 24 at Winona Gardens (1381 Highway 8 at Fifty Road in Winona, or 905-643-2161) and Winona Park on Thursday, Aug. 24 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (cash only).

On Saturday, people can ride for free for an hour from 10 to 11 a.m.

Most vendors only take cash, but ATMs are available. 

Public parking will be $15 per car at the Winona Community Centre at the corner of Highway 8 and Winona Road. Running every 12 minutes, a HSR express bus (Route 58) will go to and from the Festival and Eastgate Square. (Rides are free but food bank donations are welcome at Eastgate Square bins.) That shuttle is wheelchair accessible as well as a bus that runs from Puddicombe Farms’ off site parking on Highway 8 ($10). Private parking will be available. Handicap parking will be at St. Gabriel’s School on Barton Street. There will also be more parking including for motorcycles and bicycles across the road at St. Gabrielle’s on the west side. 

Pets, except for service animals, and smoking are not allowed.

The Winona Peach Festival is entirely run by volunteers from 17 community organizations.  

With the motto of “People working together for a better community,” the festival is encouraging people to donate a non-perishable food item to the Salvation Army if you’re taking the free HSR bus from Eastgate Square. Throughout the weekend, the Stoney Creek Community Food Bank will accept donations of toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and shampoo, and non-perishable food items at two entrances on Barton Street.

For more information on the event, transportation and accessibility, visit winonapeach.com

COURTESY WINONA PEACH FESTIVAL

COURTESY WINONA PEACH FESTIVAL

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