Atlanta Gears Up For A Peachy Celebration

If you've ever visited Georgia, you've seen them either centered on every license plate, or listed on more than 70 streets. There are jumbo versions perched atop water towers, and billboards off I-75 boasting roadside stands that have the best. But on June 26, peaches take their rightful place on the dining plate at Peach Jam 2013.

The third annual Peach Jam partners with Slow Food Atlanta and Community Farmers' Markets in a four-day festival centered on Georgia's essential fruit. Each day brings a different competition to one of Atlanta's farmers' markets, offering a tasty twist on peaches.

Emily Cumbie-Drake, the Slow Food Atlanta organizer for the event, told The Daily Meal, "Peach Jam provides a community-building opportunity for people to meet their growers and other members of their community in a fun festival environment." 

Each of the markets for Peach Jam was chosen based on a partnership they have with Community Farmers' Markets. The festival draws people to the farmers' market who might not typically go.

Cumbie-Drake adds, "We really want to support our vendors through this. Last year, the festival days were the busiest of the whole season for the farmers' markets."

A new market to join this year is the Decatur Farmers' Market. They bring a BBQ Sauce Competition and pig roast where amateurs and chefs alike will put their sauces to the test. Who can cook up the best topping to backyard favorites?

But East Atlanta Farmers' Market draws the most popular event: the Cocktail Competition. This event brings mixologists from Atlanta's most popular bars together for a showdown. What mixologist can shake up the best peachy cocktail?

The schedule for the festival is on the next page. It is a free event, but attendees have the opportunity to buy tasting tickets for the competitions.

Wednesday, June 26: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Decatur Farmers' Market
Peach BBQ sauce competition
163 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, Ga. 30030

Thursday, June 27: 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 
East Atlanta Farmers' Market
Cocktail competition
561 Flat Shoals Ave, Atlanta 30316

Saturday, June 29: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
East Lake Farmers' Market
Peach cook-off (all things peach)
Corner of Second Avenue and Hosea L. Williams Drive
Atlanta 30317

Sunday, June 30: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grant Park Farmers' Market
Cobbler Competition and Parade
In historic Grant Park, 600 Cherokee Ave. Atlanta 30312

For more information on the festivities or to register for a competition, check out the website. The perfect post-work happy hour for next week involves some peaches, farmers, and a little friendly competition!