Bring your napkins — it’s going to be a juicy day at the 31st annual St Vincent de Paul Peach Festival.

On Sunday August 12th the church’s property will be transformed into a jubilee of all things peach.

You’ll find baskets of fresh peaches donated by local farmers, as well as peach pies, pie by the slice, crepes, sundaes, jam and even peach punch.

No church fair is complete without a bake tent stocked with goodies made by its members. 

There will also be a jewellery tent, book tent, and a White Elephant tent.

Brendan Wall, the event’s chair for the third year running, said the “white elephant tent” will open at 8 a.m.

“It’s like a garage sale, and we like to attract those people who want to get the good deals early in the morning.”

Church members will be selling coffee and muffins in the morning to help the early shoppers keep up their strength, and to ease the anticipation of other keen people who come to the event for its 10 a.m. start time.

Pig Out catering will be serving pork on a bun, hot dogs and hamburgers, and there will also be freshly cooked corn on the cob, as well as a wide variety of beverages.

Kidz Korner will feature games, face painting and a clown with balloons.

“We’re excited to bring back a sale of books and games for kids in the kids’ area too,” said Wall.

Therapy Tails will be at the event with their therapy dogs, familiarizing people with their work in our community. People are strongly encouraged to interact with the animals. And live entertainment for the day will be provided by locals Mike and Joan Burnett. (Feel free to interact with them, too.)

Funds raised by the event go towards improvements of St Vincent de Paul’s parish hall on Davy Street. In previous years peaches have paid for improvements such as a new roof, wheelchair accessibility, a new sound system, new floors, and beautification of the building. Last year the event made $13,000.

Food tickets are $1 each, and raffle tickets are $5 each, or three for $10.

The raffle prizes are a family fun night for 6 on Clifton Hill, a Lenovo laptop, and a two night stay at the Millcroft Inn and Spa.

The St Vincent de Paul Peach Festival starts at 10 a.m., and runs until 3:30 p.m. on the church’s property at 73 Picton St.

On Saturday, Aug. 11, the Chamber of Commerce hosts the Peach Celebration, which takes over a portion of Queen Street for the day.  

The yearly celebration of the local peach harvest first started at St. Vincent de Paul, with the chamber following to highlight the work of peach growers by inviting them to a harvest celebration downtown.

It’s since grown to be the largest fruit harvest festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The day will feature a sidewalk sale with merchants from the Queen Street area, as well as plenty of peach-themed treats from local bakeries and restaurants.

Local growers will also be selling fresh peaches.

This year’s celebration will include musical performances from five bands, including The Toronto All Star Big Band (performing at noon), David Hoy and the St. Catharines Pipe Band.

The Ben Show, a street performer for all ages, will also be attending the festivities once again to show off a variety of impressive tricks, like riding his tiny bicycle.

Saturday’s celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.