Firefighters respond to the 65th Annual Peach Festival call in Manchester, CT.

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

Two-fisted peach pouring.

Oh no, don’t let the rain come down! 

Sporadic rain showers did not deter peach shortcake lovers from attending the 65th Annual Peach Festival held Friday night, August 22 in Manchester, Connecticut. Umbrellas in hand, festival-goers turned out anyway.

The Peach Festival is hosted by the 8th Utilities District firefighters and ladies auxiliary as a fundraiser for the volunteer department. Tickets were $5.

Ashley McCauley of Vernon takes her turn in line for a bowl of peach shortcake.

First time Peach Festival goers Kathleen Joy and David Funke.

Special delivery! Father and son Stefan and Christopher Zajac, of the 8th Utilities District Fire Department in Manchester, Connecticut, prepare to make a peach shortcake run to local police officers and medics during the 65th Annual Peach Festival held August 22, 2014.

Organizers moved most of the long tables for family style seating inside the Fire Headquarters, where the event was held for the second year after being relocated from its previous home down the hill at the old firehouse. For many the festival is an end-of-summer tradition but was also enjoyed by some first timers.

“This is our first time,” said David Funke and Kathleen Joy.

They recently moved into the neighborhood and decided to check out the festivities.

Ashley McCauley of Vernon has attended with her family in the past. Despite the rain this year, she and her mother decided they did not want to miss it.

Not only residents in town and the surrounding communities savor the bowls of peach shortcake, topped with freshly sliced peaches and whipped cream; but as well, so do local emergency workers.  Father and son, Stefan and Christopher Zajac of the 8th Utilities District, were making peach shortcake runs to deliver the tasty treats to on-duty police officers and other medics.

A few tables, albeit wet, were set up outside. That is where the band 384 East performed under the cover of an open-front trailer.

Local Republicans gathered in front of the Fire Headquarters waiting for the arrival of GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley.

The Peach Festival has long been a popular stop for campaigning politicians and this one was no exception. Local Republicans gathered by the fire station awaiting the arrival of GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley.

Tables were moved inside.

Dean Gates of the 8th Utilities Fire District shows t-shirts that were sold at the 65th Annual Peach Festival.

An estimated 3,000 people attend the festival each year, with those figures varying  – reportedly, more than 5,000 turned out in 2013. 

New this year, at long last, Peach Festival t-shirts! Sold for $10 each. In what else, peach-color.