Peach season is hailed across Utah at several festivals, some more than 100 years old. Whether you want to attend a celebration or simply take a scenic drive to honor the harvest and buy a bushel (or two), don’t dawdle. The season comes and goes much too fast, here’s where to find peaches in Utah.
Peach Days started in 1904 as a day-off from the harvest and time to celebrate “an abundance of the best peaches in Utah.” They are observed during the first weekend after Labor Day every year (Sept. 9-10, 2022).
Utah’s Famous Fruit Way
On a 10-mile stretch of Old Highway 89 between Perry and Willard, established fruit stands sell freshly harvested peaches from late July to early October. boxelderchamber.com
First celebrated in 1909, Peach Days is a long-standing Hurricane tradition. Nostalgic and focused on the heritage of the peach harvest in Southern Utah, this year’s festival will occur from Sept. 1-3.
Sweet and Savory— Peaches Aren’t Just for Dessert
Grill master for catering powerhouse Culinary Crafts, Ryan Crafts prefers peaches fresh off the grill. But don’t mistake them for a dessert-only option. “A simple grilled peach makes an excellent summertime side dish for virtually any entree,” he says. His team also combines diced grilled peaches, sweet onions, cilantro and a hit of lime juice to make a seasonal salsa “that is particularly tasty served over grilled fish or chicken.” Crafts also uses cooled grilled peaches to amp up summertime salads, and he pairs grilled peaches with tomatoes (sliced similarly), serving them caprese style with burrata, olive oil and herb toppings like basil or mint. “There’s really no end to the things you can create with grilled peaches,” Crafts says.
Find more tips for grilling the summertime staple here!