2026 Louisiana Peach Festival Events and Peach Recipes
RUSTON, La. – The 2026 Louisiana Peach Festival, the 76th annual event, takes place in Downtown Ruston on Saturday, June 6. The Louisiana Peach Festival is a long-standing tradition created by local peach farmers in 1951, organizers share on the festival website.
The website also shares, “Over the years, the Peach Festival has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors to Lincoln Parish and pumped millions back into the local economy.”
Additionally, the fest won the Louisiana Travel Association’s 2025 Louey Award for Festival of the Year.
What began as a way for farmers to promote their crop is now Ruston’s largest event of the year, according to Experience Ruston, with other local community events expanding upon the festival day activities.
Explore the calendar of events happening around the Louisiana Peach Festival, the fest’s schedule of events and peach recipes below.
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Experience Ruston and the Louisiana Peach Festival share the following events happening around the fest:
- June 1-5: Peach Hunt
- A mystery card hidden in Ruston will offer one winner the key to win up to $750. Clues will be released every day at 10 a.m. on the Louisiana Peach Festival Facebook, Ruston radio stations and the Ruston Daily Leader. The winner must take a selfie at the location of the peach prize. $500 will be awarded to the winner or $750 if the winner is wearing this year’s festival shirt upon finding the prize.
- June 1-6: Peach Culinary Crawl
- Enjoy peach specials across varying local Ruston restaurants from June 1-6. See the full guide of restaurants and menus online from Experience Ruston.
- June 3-6: Peachy Sidewalk Sale
- Explore select deals at participating Downtown Ruston shops.
- June 3,4 & 6: Park Haus Cookery Contest and the Ruston Farmers Market
- At 5 p.m. on June 3, contestants of all ages will bring their best peach-inspired jams, jellies and preserves.
- At 5 p.m., on June 4, the contest returns to the Ruston Farmers Market with peach cobblers and pies.
- Judging begins at 6 p.m. and winners are announced at the Ruston Farmers Market on June 6.
- June 4-July 28: Peach Art Exhibit
- The North Central Louisiana Arts Council will host its Peach Art Exhibit, featuring drawings, paintings, photography, 3-D art and mixed media from artists of all ages. The awards ceremony and reception is June 4, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish Library.
- June 5: Peach Pickleball Tournament
- Pickleball tournament at the Ruston Sports Complex. Men’s, women’s and co-ed divisions available. Register online by June 4. Registration is $50.
- June 5: Peach Parade
- At 6 p.m. on June 5, the Peach Parade will exit the RHS parking lot, traveling to Alabama Ave., then to Monroe St., South Service Rd., down James St. and ending back at RHS. Registration is $65 until June 5.
- June 5-6: Annual Peach Rodeo
- Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.
- North Louisiana Expo Center, 165 Fairgrounds Rd.
- June 6: Antique Car Show
- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Registration and car positioning: 7 – 9 a.m.
- $30 per vehicle
- June 6: Run for the Peaches 5k
- From 7:30 – 9:30 a.m., the race will start and finish at Trinity Methodist Church, reaching the Rock Island Greenway and back. Awards will go to the top 3 from all age groups and overall male and female. The overall male and female winners receive custom peach baskets.
- Online entry with a $35 entry fee.
- June 6: Queen Dixie Gem Peach and Princess Peach Pageant
- Queen Dixie Gem Peach will be open to any girl living in and attending school in Lincoln Parish who has completed eighth, ninth, 10th or 11th grade. Princess Peach is for residents or someone who has grandparents in Lincoln Parish and is between the ages of four and six.
Louisiana Peach Festival Schedule
The Peach Fest website lists the following schedule:
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Peach Curated Market
- Historic Fire Station
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Kids Alley: An Art Experience
- Sexton Lot
- Schedule
- 10 a.m. – Morning Moves
- 11 a.m. – Lady Chops
- 12:30 p.m. – Science Guys
- 1:30 p.m. – DJ Music
- 2 p.m. – Interactive Music Show with Georgie Ames
- 3 p.m. – Ruston Community Theatre: Willy Wonka
- 4 p.m. – Kid’s Karaoke
- 9 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Live Performances on the Railroad Park Stage
- 101 W. Park Ave.
- Schedule:
- 9 a.m. – RussTown Band
- 10 a.m. – Virlyn Bangcot
- 11 a.m. – Trey Gauthreaux
- 12 p.m. – Swamp N Roll Pat Mason & Bayou Boogie
- 1 p.m. – Josh Love Band
- 2 p.m. – Elise Clare Causey
- 3 p.m. – Stampede
- 4:30 p.m. – Averyal Goyne
- 6:30 p.m. – Tipsey
- 7:30 p.m. – Salsa with Kenyata
- 8:45 p.m. – Fireworks
- 9 p.m. – The Chee Weez
Peach Recipes
In the mood for peaches now? Explore the following peachy recipes to continue your peach celebrations.
Brandied Peach Ice Cream (1.25 quarts)
By Stanley Dry
From Adobe Stock
For many, peach ice cream is the essence of summer. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this adult variation on the theme.
2 pounds peaches (about 5-6 large peaches)
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brandy
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Peel and pit peaches; cut into chunks. Place all ingredients in the blender, and puree until smooth. Refrigerate until cold, and then process in ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to plastic container(s), and freeze until firm. Makes about 1 1/4 quarts.
Peach And Pepper Jam (1.5 cups)
By Stanley Dry
This bracing jam will perk up your morning toast or biscuit. As a condiment, it is particularly good with pork.
1 1/4 pounds peaches, stoned, peeled and cut into chunks
1 cup water
½ cup sugar
½ cup lemon juice
1/4 cup minced jalapeños, or to taste
Combine all ingredients in a heavy pot and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 25 minutes. Adjust seasonings. Makes about 1½ cups.
Peach Cobbler (6 Servings)
By Stanley Dry
By Eugenia Uhl
3 tablespoons butter, divided
5 large peaches (about 2 pounds)
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
For biscuit topping
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1½ cups low-gluten self-rising flour, such as White Lily
To serve
Vanilla ice cream
Preheat oven to 425ºF. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter. Slice peaches into a mixing bowl; add sugar, flour and nutmeg and toss to coat. Add peach mixture to baking dish. Top with pats of remaining butter.
Whip cream with sugar until stiff. Fold in flour with a rubber spatula to make a dough. Turn onto a floured surface and pat out to a diameter that will fit baking dish. Place biscuit dough on top of fruit mixture. Bake in preheated oven until fruit is bubbling and biscuit topping is nicely browned, about 25 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Peach Crisp (6 servings)
By Marcelle Bienvenu
By Eugenia Uhl
4 cups sliced peaches
¾ cup sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 stick cold butter, cut into chips
6 scoops vanilla ice cream
Preheat the oven to 375 F. Combine peaches with 1⁄3 cup of sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl and toss to coat evenly. Put mixture into an eight-inch square baking pan. Set aside.
Combine flour and remaining sugar in a bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle mixture over peaches and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool slightly. Serve with scoops of ice cream.
Tropical Twist Smoothie
By Sarah Ravits
By Eugenia Uhl
Give your taste buds a tropical vacation that benefits your body, too. Pineapple has high amounts of vitamin C and manganese (which is important for antioxidant defenses). It also gives you a vitamin B boost and some dietary fiber.
1 cup (8 oz) coconut milk
½ tangelo (peeled)
1 cup frozen pineapple
½ cup frozen peaches
