Parker County is gearing up to celebrate its renowned peaches with the upcoming Parker County Peach Festival, a tradition that highlights the area’s agricultural heritage. For 39 years, local farms and businesses have gathered to showcase Parker County’s rich history, culture, and the delightful taste of its peaches.
The legacy of Parker County peaches dates back to 1938 when J.K. Johnson Sr. planted the first peach tree. Since then, the Johnson family expanded their orchard to 3,000 trees on 65 acres of land. In 1980, the farm was sold to the Hutton family, who have since grown the orchard to 5,000 trees and established the Weatherford Farmers Market, where their peaches and other local products are sold.
The Huttons have turned peach farming into a family enterprise, with multiple relatives involved in operations at the farm and market. According to Jimmy Hutton, working at the farm is not only a job but also a valuable learning experience.
“People come from all over the country to taste Hutton’s peaches,” Hutton explains, attributing the distinct Texas peach flavor to the region’s loamy soil and favorable climate, which allows the peaches to ripen perfectly on the tree.
Hutton peaches are typically available from May through August at the Weatherford Farmers Market and are prominently featured at the annual Parker County Peach Festival, scheduled this year for July 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Historic Downtown Weatherford.
