A few things to know about the 2022 Winona Peach Festival
You may have heard the Winona Peach Festival is back after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
You also probably know the festival is home to a midway, entertainment, arts and crafts, commercial vendors, food and more. Here are a few things to know about - and not to miss at - the event this year:
DATES AND LOCATION
The Winona Peach Festival runs Friday, Aug. 26, between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Winona Park. Admission to the festival and its live entertainment are free.
HOW TO GET THERE
HSR (Hamilton Street Railway) is once again offering free shuttles from Eastgate Square to the festival with buses running every 12 minutes. People are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Salvation Army. There will be donation bins at the mall where the buses leave. Public parking will be available at Puddicombe Estate Farm and Winery. Parking is free, but there's a fee for a round-trip bus ride to the event: $10 per adult, $5 for seniors, and free for children under 13 years of age. Winona Crossing shopping centre will be running two shuttle buses to the event on Saturday, Aug. 27, and Sunday, Aug. 28 as well.
THE MIDWAY
There's an hour of free rides from Robertson Amusements on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The pre-festival ride ticket discount is $40 for 35 tickets and is available at Winona Gardens until Thursday, Aug. 25.
ENTERTAINMENT
There's plenty of entertainment on the Tim Hortons stage, including headliner Practically Hip on Friday, Aug. 26, at 9 p.m. Leash - a Pearl Jam Experience and Freedom Train will be hitting the stage on Saturday, Aug. 27, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
FOR KIDS
It's all about the kids on the Safari Children's Dentistry entertainment stage, with a children's dance party on Saturday, Aug. 27, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. There also will be a Zacada Ninja Warrior obstacle course competition on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
THE FOOD
Don't miss out on all of the delicious offerings at the food court or the peachy treats, like grilled peaches, peach crepes, peach pie and, of course, those famous peach sundaes. Be sure to try your luck at the 50-50 draw. A draw ticket is $5 for a chance to win 50 per cent of the total pot.
"The Winona Peach Festival is very excited to finally be able to be back, and be able to invite everyone to come out and join us at the festival," event director and media chair Debbie Bramer said. It has been a long hiatus and all of the organizations are looking forward to getting back to serving the public and offering a family fun Winona Peach Festival."
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
For a full listing of activities, entertainment, food and more, visit winonapeach.com.