Peaches have been grown in north Louisiana for quite a number of years; however, early growing was done primarily as a small scale family business. The realization that the red clay hills rich in iron would result in a new industry eventually led to the development of several commercial orchards prior to 1940. In 1921, James Lyon Martin produced peaches on his Iron Rock Farm with 7500 trees. This was the first extensive peach orchard.
In the fall of 1945, the North Louisiana Horticultural Society (appears also to be known as the “Peach Growers Association”) was formed with 12 members. By 1947, peaches were beginning to be harvested on a larger scale.
As the peach industry grew, suggestions were made to promote the peach industry throughout Louisiana and surrounding states. Instrumental in developing a marketing plan for peaches in Ruston, Louisiana, were Turney Hernandez, a Louisiana Tech Horticulture faculty member; Jim Files, a Louisiana Tech Journalism faculty member; and J.E. Mitcham, a prominent grower.
In 1951 the growers voted to promote their industry by spreading word of the exceptional peaches through an event. What began as casual conversation between friends was to become the pride of Ruston and Lincoln Parish. Thus, the first Peach Festival was staged in Ruston, Louisiana, by the growers in celebration of the harvesting of the first truly commercial crop of peaches in Louisiana.
Hoping the Ruston festival would become an annual event, J.E. Mitcham, President of the Louisiana Fruit Growers Association spent many hours planning the celebration as did Marvin Fowler, Festival chairman and Walter Smith, chairman of the Queens Committee for the first Louisiana Peach Festival . Turney Hernandez, Entertainment Committee chairman, worked tirelessly to add tap dancers, jugglers, singers, and other musicians to a talent show which was the entertainment between the queen and princess contests. The Association, along with cooperation from Ruston residents, the City of Ruston, the Chamber of Commerce, civic and garden clubs, merchants, and many other individuals, worked to decorate the main streets, public buildings, banks and stores with banners and placards headlining the popular Dixie Gem peach.
Peach festival time was also harvest time for the growers, and they simply did not have time to do both. The growers sought the aid of local businessmen, civic leaders, and other interested persons for the organization of an association to direct the festival activities.
In February of 1952, an organization committee was formed with the charge of developing this association.
In the early festival years, Louisiana state contributions were made ranging from $2500 to $6500. In 1952 the state Legislature appropriated monies. The House of Representatives approved emergency legislation to appropriate $6500 for support of the festival with input from L.W. Napper who promised to deliver peaches to the desk of each house member.
For a number of years, financial aid came from state monies as well as from private individuals. Each year directors of the Association were faced with seeking additional sources of money.
Today, the festival is organized by a steering committee of 12 to 14 members who serve under the auspices of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. There are approximately 15 event chairs and over 300 volunteers. Preparations for the next year begin immediately after the current festival ends. The Arts & Crafts Expo has grown to over 150 booths. It is one of the largest one day arts and crafts shows in the southeast. The festival is held in the downtown area during the fourth weekend of June each year. The parade, a major feature of the festival, lasts about an hour and a half. The festival is one of the longest continuing agriculture festivals in Louisiana. At one time, the Festival was held over a course of two weeks; however, recently has been shortened to one weekend. Through the years there have been five name changes which are:

1951 Ruston Peach Festival
1955 Louisiana Peach Festival
1997 Louisiana Peach Fest
2000 Century Tel Peach Festival
2003 Squire Creek Peach Festival

Live entertainment has now become a popular feature event of the festival. Sporting events such as the 5K Run held on the weekend of the festival continue to attract more participants.
While the future of the Ruston peach crop may be questionable, the festival will live on due to the spirit and commitment of the people of Ruston. In years past when peaches were scarce or not available, peaches were brought in from other states. This happened as early as 1955 when peaches came from Georgia and Texas and the theme was "The Show Must Go On!"
Even though the length of the festival has come full circle from its beginning as a weekend event and now returning as a weekend event, the Ruston summer economy has and will be impacted in a positive manner for many years to come.