THE VARIOUS JOYS of peaches in season are set to be celebrated Saturday during the Peach Festival at Carroll County Farmers' Market at the Agriculture Center on Smith Avenue in Westminster.
From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., vendors from across the county will share their wares and knowledge about the luscious local fruits. Participants can expect to see peaches used in everything from pies and cakes to jams and snowballs.
"We'll have all sorts of free samples of peach treats," said market manager Anita Bullock, noting that the samples are donated by participating vendors. "We just divvy them up into little tastes."
Vendors are expected to share the secrets of their specialties.
2Sisters, an Eldersburg business run by sisters Sammy and Sharon Marie Martin, will demonstrate how to make peach salsa using herb vinegars. The pair often share their knowledge through craft workshops that show uses of herbs they grow.
In honor of the festival Saturday, the sisters will feature peach iced tea, rose geranium poundcake and their usual herbal jellies.
Another local favorite, Baugher's Fruit Market off Route 31 in Westminster, is expected to share its peach ice cream and peach sundaes.
"We've had this festival for a long time," Bullock said, adding that it has been held for at least 25 years during the market's 29-year history. "It's a popular event. It's probably our best day in the summer."
In this area, peaches come into season in July and run through August, she said.
Bullock said she favors the Sun High variety, which should be getting ready to harvest this week.
"They're the best around," she said.
Finally, the usual assortment of baked goods, craft items and fresh Carroll County fruits and vegetables will be on hand for residents to purchase from the 50 vendors participating in Saturday's farmers' market.
Admission is free, and free parking is available.
The farmers' market will conclude its summer season Sept. 2. It will open again for the seven Saturdays before Christmas.
The market is handicapped-accessible.
Information: 410-848-7748.
Breast-feeding class
Couples interested in learning about breast-feeding are encouraged to attend a 2 1/2 -hour class at Carroll County General Hospital at 7 p.m. tomorrow.
The class, sponsored by the hospital's Learning Center, will be held in the Women's Place, 291 Stoner Ave., Westminster.
All students must preregister for this course, which costs $30 per couple. All fees are nonrefundable.
Information: 410-848-CCGH.
Community prayer
Individuals of all faiths will gather to pray for the community at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 45 Monroe St. in Westminster.
A half-hour fellowship session will precede the prayer, which will feature speaker Sister Helen Milano.
Information: Sharon McIntyre at 410-876-4150 or Susan Crowley at 410-795-5147.
Eat for the library
Local Pizza Hut restaurants will hold a fund-raiser for Carroll County Public Library from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Mention that you wish to support the library when you purchase a pizza to dine in or carry out during that time and Pizza Hut will donate 20 percent of the profits to the public library.
A portion of the proceeds from sandwiches, salads and pasta purchased during that time will be given to the public library as well.
Amy L. Miller's Central neighborhood column appears each Monday in the Carroll County edition of The Sun.
