Everything was peachy at festival

NEW HARTFORD —  The North Congregational Church held its 19th annual Peach Festival at the Pine Meadow Green on Saturday, Aug. 22.

The event included 35 vendors and crafters selling art, jewelry and clothing.

Members of the church sold peach desserts, including peach pies and peach shortcakes.

According to event co-organizer and church minister the Rev. Margret Hofmeister, the event was a benefit for the church.

“Our church is small with 80 members, but has a mighty presence in the community,” Hofmeister said. “We are very focused and our outreach and our mission and this has been a great community activity that has grown over the years. People keep coming back year after year because they look forward to our peach desserts. It always has been a family friendly event.”

Event co-organizer Alesia Kennerson said she helped cook the pies offered at the event.

“I had my hand in every single pie,” Kennerson said. “What makes a perfect peach? You have to know when it is ripe. It’s a short window. It has to be at a perfect ripeness.”

Kennerson said peaches used for the event were from Belltown Hill Orchards of Glastonbury.

“This could not have happened without everyone in the community pitching in,” Hofmeister added. “Not just members of the church community but also the wider community as well. Next year is the 20th festival, and we’re looking forward to that.”