About the Festival
We're
not absolutely sure when the Palisade Peach Festival began, but
early historical records from
The Museum of
Western Colorado indicate that "Peach Days" was a popular
event held in the late 1800s. The photo of the Peach Queen,
right, dates from the 1920s and harkens back to a time when such
festivals were celebrated with a little, shall we say, more
formality (no T-shirts available).
Some
of the first peach trees in the area were planted in 1882 by
John Harlow and his wife, Jean. Besides farming, Harlow served
as road overseer and local justice of the peace. He was
interested in Grand Valley agriculture and, like most of his
contemporaries, knew that the arid conditions would need help
—
by designing and building a canal system to bring water from the
Colorado River. This system was completed in the late 1800s,
although Palisade was one of the last areas to receive canal
water. However, by the early 1900s, more than 25,000 pounds of
peaches were being shipped daily from Palisade to destinations
around the region.
Palisade soon grew as a town and other fruit crops followed: apples, apricots and cherries, to name a few.
Today, Palisade peaches are the pride of Colorado, world-famous and sought after by people who drive hundreds, even thousands of miles to taste the best and take several bushels home with them to preserve and enjoy. Palisade has also become the home of many award-winning wineries: hundreds of acres of vineyards grace our area and add to our wonderful agriculture legacy. The Palisade Chamber of Commerce welcomes all visitors to our area and hope that you enjoy our area fruit stands and wineries.
Photos top and above left, courtesy of the Museum of Western Colorado. Top photo Palisade Queen, 1921, Palisade Library Collection, Loyd Files Research Library, Museum of Western Colorado, 1979.23#109; Photo above left, A.R. Loyd and Family c. 1900, Palisade Library Collection, Loyd Files Research Library, Museum of Western Colorado, 1979.23#3
History of the Palisade Peach Growers
(Quotations in this article are from the book A History of Rapid Creek by William Kirk Bunte.)
Plaques
often honor people who help establish towns and cities. Or they
may have fountains, parks, streets or even bridges named after
them. But one of the most influential men in helping to make
Palisade, indeed the Grand Valley, what it is today has no such
recognition.
His name is John Petal Harlow who was among the first white settlers in the area. Harlow began farming at Rapid Creek in the early 1880's and this was to become the first successful peach farm in the region. His endeavor can be credited for shaping the history of Palisade and the entire valley.
In 1882, John Harlow began testing the quality of the soil to support various crops. He planted a large vegetable garden and the Grand Valley's first fruit trees. The garden was a huge success. "…grasses, cereals and roots of all kinds under his care yielded a harvest which more than satisfied the prospective farmers of the valley as to the fertility and productiveness of the soil."
The fruit trees however died in large numbers. Through his knowledge of agriculture and his commitment to correcting the problem, Harlow learned to fertilize the soil. He used burnt bones and leached ashes as fertilizer and by the next year he had a successful fruit crop.
By this time more people were moving to the valley. There were pioneers seeking their fortunes and of course the land speculators. More farmers, ranchers, miners and finally homesteaders followed them. They found the valley to their liking and they all contributed to the region as it is today.
In 1886 Judge Harlow and his wife had the most successful
fruit farms in the area. Their peaches "ripening in the sun
acquired a brilliant color not found on peaches in the east or
even in California." Harlow's success in 1887 was even greater.
Not only did he have a bumper crop he also won first place for
his peaches at the Mesa County Fair. And he won a blue ribbon at
the Denver Exhibition.
In the spring of 1888 Harlow again predicted another outstanding year. He estimated a crop of about five tons — five tons of peaches that rivaled any in the land. And so began the fame and success of Palisade peaches.
Note: Visit the “History of Peach Growers” booth at the Peach Festival at Riverbend Park to see a classic presentation, view period artifacts and vintage tractors, and learn about the heritage of peach growing in the Grand Valley.
Did You Know?
The peach is a member of the rose family.
Peaches are extremely popular in the U.S. Only apples, oranges and bananas are consumed more than peaches.
The United States is the largest peach producer in the world. Peaches are grown commercially in almost every region of the country.
Fuzz helps the peach defend itself from various threats. Some feel the fuzz was developed to give the fruit more resistance to insects and diseases. Another theory is that the fuzz protects peaches from sunburn and potential water loss.
Not all the fruit on a tree ripens at the same time. Usually, fruit on the outside and top of the tree will ripen about a week before fruit on the middle and inside of the tree. When peaches ripen, the side that is facing the sun develops a rosy "blush," while the part not exposed turns from green to a creamy yellow. This color is the best indicator of ripeness.
National Peach Celebration Days
National Peach Cobbler Day — in
April
National Peach Pie Day — in August
National Peach Melba Day — in
January
Peach Ice Cream Day — in July