The Michigan Peach Festival Of Romeo
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Michigan Peach Festival of Romeo
Romeo, MI 48065
(586) 752-4436
www.peachfestromeo.com
Price: $1/free children 12 and younger
Hours: Sept. 1 to 3 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Michigan Peach Festival is a fun-filled five-day extravaganza filled with carnival rides, music and entertainment, games and contests, sports tournaments, vendors, craft shows, and a variety of food stands and organized meals. Free shuttle service is available from parking areas into downtown on Saturday and Sunday. Kids may enjoy a special mini-festival just for them on Saturday morning. Daily features include bake sales, a refreshment tent with a DJ, a variety of beers from around the world, Las Vegas games, food tents, photo contests, and of course, a plethora of peach pies.
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Romeo Lions Club Peach Festival Car Show
Ford Romeo Engine Plant
701 E. St. Clair St.
Romeo, MI 48065
(586) 747-1871
A staple of the Peach Festival, the Lions Club car show also celebrates its 81st year in 2012. Around 200 cars participate in the show each year, from new models to classics. Rather than formal judging, spectators vote for the People's Choice awards, which are handed out for the top three cars in the show. Honorary awards are given by the peach queen, the Peach Festival president, the Ford plant manager, and the local UAW representative. After the show, the cars head downtown for the Car Show Parade, which takes place at 7:30 p.m., sandwiched between the Bed Races at 7 p.m. and the Night Parade at 8 p.m.
Peach Festival 5K/10K Run
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
11100 W. St. Clair St.
Romeo, MI 48065
(586) 752-4436
The Peach Festival has held an annual 5K Run for 20 years, and added its first 10K run in 2011. The race course includes both gravel and paved roads, and it's hilly. Day-of-race registration begins at 5:15 p.m. and runs through 6:45 p.m., at St. Paul's Church, across from the high school; pre-registration is available through the Peach Festival website. T-shirts will be given to all pre-registered participants, and as available to those registering late. Awards are given for overall male and female, masters male and female, and three deep in each 10-year age division.
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Peach Festival Floral Parade
Main St.
Romeo, MI 48065
(586) 752-6543
Hours: 10 a.m.
More than 40,000 spectators line Main Street on Labor Day to enjoy the Peach Festival parade, which includes more than 100 entrants and runs about 2.5 hours. Along with floats, marching bands, and mounted police, the parade also features the peach queen and her court, fire engines, a pipe and drum band, and the obligatory clown brigade. Earlier in the day, kids may march in a special Children's Parade.
Croswell Extravaganza Craft Show
Croswell Elementary School
175 Croswell St.
Romeo, MI 48065
(586) 752-6543
The Croswell Extravaganza is back in 2012 for its second year at the Peach Festival. Expanded from the arts and crafts show previously held during the festival, the extravaganza adds a hometown business expo and a farmer's market. More than 100 vendors set up at the show, featuring diverse items ranging from art to jewelry, food storage to honey. Additional arts and crafts are featured at Frontier Town on Van Dyke Road, or at the Peachy Keen Art Scene at the Starkweather Arts Center on Main Street.
Jennifer Walker is a freelance writer living in Detroit. She earned her Bachelor's degree in animal science from Michigan State University. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
