Kids bob for peaches at the annual Glad-Peach Festival in Coloma. Photo courtesy of Glad-Peach Festival

By JESSICA SIEFF

jessica@offthewater.com

“Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring and because it has fresh peaches in it.” — Thomas Walker

There are plenty of fruit-flavored festivals to partake in when it comes to Michigan’s fruit belt. There are apples and blueberries, strawberries and cherries.

And for more than 40 years, the residents of Coloma have honored their position as a producer of fresh Michigan fruit with their annual Glad-Peach Festival, an annual celebration of the gladiolus flower and peaches.

The three-day event, to be held Aug. 6, 7 and 8 — with a preview night Thursday, Aug. 5 — is filled with everything from peach-infused foods to live entertainment, activities, kids’ games and even a few fireworks.

“It’s a family festival,” festival president Erica Hansel said. “We always have really good attendance. We have people waiting for this festival. They come back every year.”

Festival planners work on the event throughout the year and highlights include a peach dunk for children, a 24-hour food tent, a “Runners Parade,” which will include biking events this year, and a peach spit contest.

“We have a lot of peach growers here,” Hansel said, making it easy to promote the sweet fruit that finds its way into a multitude of recipes from baked goods to barbecue.

To get a head start or to taste a bit of what Coloma peach growers have to offer, Hansel said festival organizers will be in New Buffalo giving out peaches this weekend at the welcome center.

For those who may have yet to attend the time-honored festival, Hansel encourages everyone to come out and see what there is to offer.

For more information, visit www.colomapeachfest.com.

Thursday, Aug. 5

1-2 p.m. Bake-Fest entries due

(Note: All entrants had to register by July 23) at the North Berrien Senior Center

4 p.m. Carnival opens with Dollar Night, one ticket, $1, one ride for all rides, Logan Street parking lot

Friday, Aug. 6

6 a.m.to midnight, Coloma Rod and Gun Club Food Tent, open 24 hours during festival at Baker Park

Noon-9 p.m. T-Shirt / Information Barn at Edgewater Bank

Noon, Commercial and food booths open at Edgewater Bank parking lot, Family Dollar parking lot

Carnival opens in the Logan Street parking lot

Arts and Crafts show opens at Baker Park

5-8 p.m. Registration for Saturday’s Glad-Peach 10K, 5K and 1K runs and 5K walk and bike events (Next to the T-shirt barn/information booth) at Edgewater Bank

5:20 p.m. Vi Shafer’s Children’s Dance Group at Leonard Main Stage

6:15 p.m. Opening 2010 Glad-Peach Festival

• Miss Coloma and her court

• City and township officials

• Emcee: Brenda Layne (WSJM Radio)

• National Anthem: CHS Varsity Singers

• Color Guard-America Legion Post 362

• Jodi Davis, run/walk spokesperson

At Leonard Main Stage:

6:45 p.m. Coronation of prince and princess at Leonard Main Stage

7 p.m. Glad-Peach Festival Youth Parade, downtown

7:30 p.m. Bake-Fest winners announced at Leonard Main Stage

7:45 p.m. Festival Youth Parade winners announced at Leonard Main Stage

8-11 p.m. “Chuck Wise Band” at Showcase Stage

8 p.m. Square dance demonstration with Ken Burke, caller, near Leonard Main Stage

9-11:30 p.m. “4 AM” contemporary rhythm and blues at Leonard Main Stage

Saturday, Aug. 7

Midnight, Coloma Rod and Gun Club food tent, open 24 hours during festival at Baker Park

Midnight-noon, Pancake breakfast at North Berrien Fire Rescue Station

6-7:30 a.m. Premiere run of southwestern Michigan registration for Glad-Peach

10K, 5K, and 1K runs and 5K walk and bike events at Salem Lutheran Church parking lot and fields (Park and West streets)

8:05-10:30 a.m. “Runner’s Parade,” bring your favorite lawn chair and cheer the runners to the finish line — West Street between Washington and Jackson

8:05 a.m. The Glad-Peach 10K and 5K bike events. Note: Register at Signmeup.com/66380 until Aug. 1.

Salem Lutheran Church parking lot and fields (Park and West streets)

9 a.m.-9 p.m. T-shirt/information barn at Edgewater Bank

9 a.m. The Glad-Peach 10K and 5K runs and 5K walk. Note: Register at Signmeup.com/66380 until Aug. 1.

Salem Lutheran Church parking lot and fields (Park and West streets)

10 a.m. Commercial and food booths open Edgewater Bank parking lot, Family Dollar parking lot

Carnival Opens — Logan Street parking lot

Arts and Crafts show opens at Baker Park

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Family Art Fair, experience art through hands-on activities for all ages at Laura Baker Park

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Coloma Library book sale at Coloma Public Library

10:15 a.m. The Glad-Peach 1K Fun Run at Salem Lutheran Church parking lot and fields (Park and West streets)

12:15 p.m. Vi Shafer’s Dance Studio near Leonard Main Stage

1 p.m. 43rd Annual Glad-Peach Festival Parade, announced by Brenda Layne (WSJM Radio) — Downtown

2 p.m. Bean Bag Tournament

Easy Street Inn’s Beer Tent. Note: You must be 21 or older to enter beer tent.

2-4 p.m. Family Art Fair, experience art through hands-on activities for all ages at Laura Baker Park

2:30 p.m. Peach Pit Spit hosted by Mr. Coloma and his court, downtown

Film Festival – Part I (Historic videos of Coloma, Watervliet, and Paw Paw Lake) at Loma Theatre

3 p.m. Patrice School of Dance near Leonard Main Stage

3:30 p.m. Film Festival – Part II (Historic videos of Coloma, Watervliet, and Paw Paw Lake) at Loma Theatre

4 p.m. Kristina’s Musical Movements near Leonard Main Stage

5 p.m. Compassion Gymnastics near Leonard Main Stage

7-7:45 p.m. Senior Steppers Line Dancing, Carol Dingler, instructor, near Leonard Main Stage

7-10 p.m. The Chris Elliott Devin Band covers and originals music at showcase stage

8-11:30 p.m. “Paisley Fogg,” 60s and 70s American and British rock, at Leonard Main Stage

10:30 p.m. Peach-Tac-U-Lar Aerial Fireworks Show downtown

Sunday, Aug. 8

Midnight-5 p.m. Coloma Rod and Gun Club food tent open 24 hours during festival at Baker Park

Midnight-noon, Pancake Breakfast at North Berrien Fire Rescue Station

10 a.m.-4 p.m. T-shirt/information barn at Edgewater Bank

10 a.m. Commercial and food booths open at Edgewater Bank parking lot, Family Dollar parking lot

Carnival opens at Logan Street parking lot

Arts and Crafts Show opens at Baker Park

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Glad-Peach Cruise-In, the old fashioned cruise-in returns for a third year. Shine up your pride and joy and bring it downtown for everyone to see — downtown

10:30-11:30 a.m. Kid’s Fun Fair near Leonard Main Stage

11:30 a.m. Ronald McDonald Show at Laura Baker Park

1-4 p.m. Eddie and Marc acoustic guitars and vocals at Leonard Main Stage

5 p.m. Festival closes