TRENTON – The Annual Ridge Peach Festival kicked off with WJBF Channel 6 showcasing the town of Trenton and the festival itself in their “Your Hometown” segment live in the Trenton Park Friday night.

While trying to beat the storm clouds gathering above, news-anchor Jennie Montgomery and reporter Kait Rayner reported facts and interviewed people about the festival. Chief meteorologist George Myers gave on-the-spot weather updates.

Some sat in golf carts or walked around in the park while kids romped and played on the grass. Sounds from the stage were those of Rachel Baker who sang and played guitar to entertain the crowd. Ike Carpenter, dressed in period costume, demonstrated some of his wood-working abilities and Rayner interviewed Gage and Bob Kaltenback about blacksmith techniques.

Montgomery said this is the fourth year that Trenton has been featured on "Your Hometown" to draw attention to the festival, one of the largest in the Southeast.

"We do four of these segments a year," she said. "Two in the spring and two in the fall. It gives us a chance to showcase some of the things going on in the small towns."
She said the station has featured the Gold Rush in McCormick and the town of Thomson so far this year.

"We've done a number of festivals, including the Blind Willie Blues and Oliver-Hardy festivals. Last year, we featured Elijah Clark Park," she said.
Rayner said she spent the whole day Wednesday in Trenton talking to people and did five different stories connected with the town of Trenton and Edgefield County. They included Ike Carpenter's peach-carving techniques; Jane Bloome's having attended all 40 Ridge Peach Festivals so far; the Methodist Church Salkehatchie volunteer group; the Dr. Watson babies; and the distance the Trenton peach travels.

"I interviewed Mr. Fritz Huiet whose five children were all delivered by Dr. Watson,'" she said, with a chuckle. In referring to Dr. Watson, she was speaking of Dr. W.G. "Curly" Watson, well-known Augusta area obstetrician-gynecologist from Trenton, who turned 101 last year and who is thought to be the oldest practicing physician in the United States.

All of the stories aired Friday on the segment that lasted from 5 to 6:30 p.m. It can be viewed on www.WJBF.com. As soon as the newscast ended and the TV crew packed up, the cloud that had been threatening for a couple of hours broke loose and a downpour followed.

On Saturday, blue skies and mild temperatures prevailed for the big event of the year for Edgefield County.

"It was a beautiful day," said festival Chairperson Melody Boylston. "There were record crowds. People started arriving well before 9 a.m. and at 3 p.m., there were still people all over the park. Friends and family gathered and enjoyed visiting under the trees and listening to the entertainment."
The parade at 10:30 a.m. had over 80 entries and featured as grand marshal, the Fort Gordon Army Signal Corps Band. The park was filled with arts and crafters, carnival rides, inflatables, games, hands-on demonstrators, food vendors and of course, peaches.
Jay and Genny Scoggins of Irmo, one of the 13 food vendors, said their kettle corn and lemonade were hits at the festival.

It was steady all day," said Mr. Scoggins. "We like to come down. We like the people here."

Lyn Fleming of North Augusta said it was the best festival she had ever attended. "The barbecue is great. I haven't been to one in 10 years, but it's a nice day and the people are so friendly. I especially liked the crafts and the Army Band."

Sydney Lewis, 1-year-old daughter of Janice Riffe of Waynesboro, Ga., was having a good time eating a hot dog and some ice cream.

Karen Smith and Grace Fox were visiting from Aiken.

"This is the first time I've been," said Smith. "I think it's wonderful. I like the small-town atmosphere. We might bring a friend next year."

"Yes," said her friend, Fox. ""It's cool."

Boylston said all of the funds raised from the festival, sponsored by the Trenton Community Development Association, go back into the community.
We do a lot of events during the year that are totally free to the public, she said.
Boylston said, as always, that she would like to thank all of those who helped to make the festival a success.

"Last year, after the festival, we were talking and one of the board members said, 'You know, this festival is bigger than we are. It reaches countywide and statewide. It's an entity in itself.''

She smiled. "I look at it as we're carrying on a long-time tradition and we're honoring the town of Trenton in the process."