Atlanta has a staggering 71 streets and roads named Peachtree, but few are lined with their namesakes. That’s about to change.
On May 8, Atlanta Way 2.0 announced PeachTrees on Peachtree, a three-week “immersive celebration” of the state fruit. 16 trees from Pearson Farms, one of the state’s remaining family-owned peach farms, will be placed in decorative crates to form “micro-groves” along Peachtree Street.
It was born from an age-old question: Where are the peach trees on Peachtree Street? One year ago, at the Southface Institute Sustainability in Action Roundtable, community builder Sundiata Rush asked another question.
“We’ve got all these streets with the word ‘Peachtree,’ and I don’t think there’s a peach tree growing along any of them,” Rush said. “How about we change that?”
It kicked off a joint effort between several groups, including Atlanta Way 2.0, the City of Atlanta, Trees Atlanta, and Atlanta Downtown Inc. Now the coalition has an announcement.
“New fruit, pomp and circumstance are coming to Peachtree,” Rush said.
The installation will begin at the end of June and run through mid-July, with a different activity each week. Organizers said the activities will focus on agriculture, sustainable and food access. Pop-up peach stands will also be spread across key spots.
PeachTrees on Peachtree will culminate at the 12th annual PeachFest on July 12, a culinary festival dedicated to the Georgia state fruit. More than 50 chefs will join the Underground Atlanta event to serve up peach dishes from pasta to pastries.
The event wraps up the expanded Pearson Farm Peach Week, with cocktails, food and local brews all under a canopy of real, fruit-bearing peach trees. Once the three-week run is over, the trees will be donated to the city of Atlanta parks and “iconic” private properties for permanent planting.
Speaking on the initiative at a May 8 Southface Institute roundtable, Rush said Atlanta has a “magic” about itself with optimism, hunger and aspiration built on a pride for the city.
“It’s rooted in a deep sense of pride in who we are, where we are going and where we want to be,” Rush said. “That spirit is alive right now in the room. It’s also at the core of this project. It’s civic pride in bloom.”
Editor’s note: Maria Saporta is a founder of Atlanta Way 2.0.
Your blog is a true hidden gem on the internet. Your thoughtful analysis and engaging writing style set you apart from the crowd. Keep up the excellent work!