The rain didn’t stop residents from making their way to St. Peter’s Church on Saturday for the Third Annual Peach Festival, sponsored by the Oxford Historical Society.
Luckily, the festival was planned to be held indoors regardless of the weather.
Peach shortcake topped with ice cream and fresh peaches was a hit at the event. Oxford’s own Belinsky Farms donated the peaches and Rich Farms donated the ice cream that helped create the popular concoction.
“The turnout has been great,” said Nancy Farnam, a member of the Oxford Historical Society who volunteered to serve ice cream at the festival. Almost every chair inside the church hall was filled by guests who were enjoying their treats.
This is the third year the peach festival has been held. This year’s theme was transportation.
Town historian Dottie DeBisschop created a special photograph exhibit called “Time Travel through Oxford” for visitors to enjoy.
It displayed different modes of transportation used throughout Oxford over the years. Some of the different modes on display included oxen-drawn carts, sleighs, automobiles and more.
DeBisschop also compiled the photographs into a slideshow which was shown in a separate screening room.
Oxford resident Maryellen Joncyk has come to the festival all three years and noted the different themes made each year‘s festival unique.
“I came for the peaches and ice cream, to support the town and to see the photograph presentation,” she said.
The historical society is looking to grow its collection of photographs which will be on display next year at the Twitchell-Rowland Homestead when it opens as a public museum.
Any residents who have historic photos can contact DeBisschop at dottie@oxford-historical-society.org, or by phone at (203) 910‑4574 to have their photographs added to the collection.
