15th Annual Peach Days called Elberta Days, and in 1915 the name was changed to Peach Days. Exciting things happened at Peach Days, like in 1916 when Mr. Fox brought his automobile to the celebration and charged 10 cents for a ride from the north end of Main Street to the flour mill and back! In 1929 Hurricane’s Peach Days had livestock and poultry exhibits, agricultural and horticultural displays, and various entertainments. It had achieved county fair status. At this time the county wanted to hold this fair annually and alternate among the towns of the county. The suggestion to hold it in St. George the next year was made, but the 1930 festival was again in Hurricane, and there it was to remain. In 1951 the name was changed to the Washington County Fair. County commissioners asked Hurricane to make this the county fair celebration because of its great success. The fair grew bigger and bigger. By the 1970s seed displays and agricultural exhibits were held in the old high school gym, and home arts exhibits were in the elementary multi-purpose room. During the 1980s it was expanded over a couple of city blocks. Home arts and baked and bottled goods were displayed in the new Hurricane High School’s gym and other parts of the building. Commercial booths lined the street along 100 south to Hurricane Elementary where in the old gym were seed and agricultural displays. Food booths were nestled along the street under the shade trees of the Elementary. At least three Continuous Entertainment stages were set up. One on the new High School Lawn, one among the booths along 100 south, and another on the lawn at the elementary. The carnival was set up over the years in various places (football or practice field, the street, playground, and a vacant lot), boxing was held at the American Legion Boxing Arena, and a rodeo at the American Legion Rodeo Grounds. Dances were held (a teenager’s dance and a country dance) at the old tennis courts, and the American Legion patio. The music could be heard all over the downtown and nearby residential area. Two parades were held: a children’s parade on Friday evening, and a general parade on Saturday morning. Remodeling at Hurricane High School caused the County Fair to be moved to the new Hurricane Middle School in the early 1990s. It was much more cramped and congested there and only lasted a few years before the new fair grounds were built at the Washington County Regional Park, and the Washington County Fair was moved to these new facilities. Hurricane residents missed the small town celebration that had grown so large and moved from the downtown part of their community. In 1999 the first board members (David Stirland, Tom Hirschi, Jarolyn Stout, and Vera Hirschi) organized committees and the first “new” Peach Days, which was held September 3rd and 4th, 1999. It was a huge success, with even its critics admitting it was a wonderful event. The community feeling of unity was back. Fond memories of days gone by were relived, and new memories were made. The goal of the board and committees has been to keep Peach Days a smaller hometown event without an over-flux of “commercial”. Peach Days was held in its old stomping grounds at the old HHS and Hurricane elementary grounds. The old High School was torn down in 2004, so the layout was changed and expanded to the Elementary building, but the events and displays are still much the same. Then in 2010 when Hurricane Elementary was moved to a new location, Hurricane City purchased the
old school building and grounds, which is now the Hurricane Community Center. With the acquisition of the old “town square”, it allowed Peach Days to run for two full days as the school schedule no longer needed to be worked around. Whether you are a native to the area or a transplant, Peach Days will give you a great sense of community and appreciation for our pioneer heritage. You can walk through room in the Community Center or Fine Arts building and view various handiwork, garden and art displays. You may want to attend the craft show, or wander through pioneer corner and learn about the crafts and skills our pioneer ancestors passed down. Kids will enjoy the kiddy carnival, Pioneer Games and Candy Cannon. Be sure to grab a bite to eat at the food booths lining the street in front of the Community Center and relax under the shade as you listen to some local talent at the continuous entertainment. Don’t miss the parade Saturday morning or the old fashioned rodeo Saturday night or “Come See Our Valley” on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for some great entertainment. Hurricane has a great heritage to celebrate. Be sure to celebrate with us this year at Hurricane Peach Days. (References for this article from: “A Little Oasis in the Desert” by W. Paul Reeve, 1996; and “Hurricane Then and Now” by Dell C Stout, 1999).
August 30 & 31, 2013
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