JOHNSTON — Irrigation is a fact of life for thousands of local peach acres, but there was no need for extra hydration May 4, with the peach crop on its way and the Johnston Peach Blossom Festival getting a steady rain during the parade.
Local peaches are appearing in some roadside stands, and dozens of local residents chose to venture out for an hour or two Saturday morning — dozens to ride in the parade, and hundreds to watch. This year's major features included an Oscar Meyer Wienermobile along with a fishing tournament and dozens of booths to promote a variety of churches, businesses and other organizations.
This year's procession included a prominent place for Georgia Roberson Mason, this year's grand marshal. Mason was described in promotional material as "a 1960 graduate of the Edgefield County Colored High School where she was a cheerleader, majorette and an excellent basketball player."
The decades have brought the 80-year-old three children, five granddaughters and five great-grandchildren, along with local familiarity through such roles as being a member of Rosa Springs Baptist Church and the chairman of Johnston's election commission.
"The Ridge," as the area including such communities as Johnston, Monetta, Ward and Trenton is known to some, has some of the South's most productive peach territory and the headquarters of Ridge Spring-based Titan Farms, the biggest peach producer east of California.
Growers are reportedly in line for a major rebound in the weeks ahead. The 2023 peach crop in South Carolina was "stunted," as one grower phrased it, as a massive percentage of the crop was lost in the wake of a hot spell in February followed by a cold snap in March.
Chalmers Carr II, Titan Farms' owner and operator, estimated the area's peach losses in 2023 at 75 percent, with Titan losing "right at" 70 percent. Titan devotes about 6,200 acres to peaches.
Chris Yonce, co-owner of Johnston-based Big Smile Peaches, gave an upbeat assessment for 2024. "It's a good crop, and it will be a steady crop from beginning to end," he said. Big Smile has about 4,000 acres dedicated to peaches.
California is the nation's top peach producer, by far. Following, in order, are South Carolina, Georgia and New Jersey. Fresh South Carolina peaches are usually available from early May through early September.
