Missouri Peach Fair -- Campbell, Missouri

Check out the 2005 Peach Fair Schedule and Event Contacts!
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The City of Campbell has been known as the "peach" community for many years. The first Peach Festival was held in 1944. Every year, residents from across the Missouri Bootheel visit the city in August to celebrate the Missouri Peach Fair in August.
In 1944, the C. Dolph Gehrig American Legion Post 109, peach growers and area businessmen sponsored the first Peach Festival. Proceeds were used by the American Legion to buy bonds to improve the legion hut.
It was a one-day celebration including an all day picnic and barbecue. Prizes were awarded for best peaches, and the proceeds were about $1,000. In 1953, the legion decided not to sponsor the festival any more.
The Campbell Rotary Club was the sponsor from 1954 to 1960, and changed the event to a fall festival which was held in October, with proceeds going to the McCutchen Park, school improvements and Rotary projects.
In 1960, the Rotary Club and American Legion joined forces to revive and sponsor the Peach Festival until 1963 when the Campbell Chamber of Commerce became the sponsor. The Chamber sponsored it through the 1980 Festival.

In January 1981, the Peach Festival was reorganized, a board of 15 members were selected and the new Missouri Peach Fair was formed. The board members elected officers and filed with the Missouri Department of Agriculture to be recognized as a state fair.
The new board added the country and gospel concert and through the efforts of the board, many top country and gospel performers have entertained audiences in Campbell. Country singers who have performed during Peach Fair week include Steve Wariner, Shelly West, Charlie McClain, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Chely Wright, Tracy Lawrence, Helen Cornelius, Kenny Chesney, Daryle Singletary, The Warren Brothers, Aaron Lines, and Andy Griggs.
Gospel groups have included Gold City Quartet, The Florida Boys, The Kingsmen, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps, The Steeles, The Perry Sisters, Full Circle, The Wilburns, and The New Hinsons.
The Peach Fair Board has helped make many improvements to the Campbell Community Center through the support of area residents. They include a donation made to the Community Board toward the purchase of the air conditioning, a new stage, dressing rooms and draperies in the building.
A sizeable donation was given to the City of Campbell for the construction of a new bandstand in the Jim Morris - Walker McCutchen Park. Tables and several hundred chairs were purchased for the Campbell Community Center.

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Check out the 2005 Peach Fair Schedule and Event Contacts! CLICK HERE!

Revised Aug. 21, 2004

Check out the 2005 Peach Fair Schedule and Event Contacts!
CLICK HERE!