The Best Peaches in Texas

A Family Affair
The JAMboree is the social event of the year in Stonewall. Jamey tells me he looks forward to the weekend all year long. Bluefford and his family turn the two days into an annual reunion and wedding anniversary party. That makes sense because the weekend is such a rip-roarin' good time.

For the most part, the events of the JAMboree repeat every year. During the third Friday and Saturday of June, the festival gets started with a Friday morning breakfast. The real action, however, picks up that evening at 8, when the rodeo takes center stage, followed by a boot-scootin' dance at 9:30.

Saturday morning begins with a 5K run/walk and a ten o'clock parade, when the town dresses up trucks and tractors in celebration of peach season. The afternoon packs in a contest or two, a washer-pitching tournament, children's activities, and the Peach Queen interviews. The evening closes with another rodeo (where the queen is crowned) and dance.

Jimmy Duecker, a Stonewall resident, says, "The whole Texas Hill Country revolves around peaches in one form or another. As far back as the thirties, people were driving here to buy peaches."

Many peach festivals are about just that--peaches. Stonewall focuses on the fruit, of course, but the people here also work at coming together as a town. If you visit for the JAMboree, you'll see why this homespun part of Texas is so special. Plus, you'll start your summer off right with some homemade peach ice cream just like my grandpa's.

For more information:
Contact the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1, Stonewall, TX 78671; (830) 644-2735 or www.stonewalltexas.com.