Discover the Flavors of Peach Season in Ruston, Louisiana

By: TLP's Partners

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A women smelling fresh peaches at the Peach Festival in Ruston

Known for its incredibly sweet peaches, award-winning historic district, and lively college-town atmosphere, Ruston and Lincoln Parish is a vibrant destination. Located in North Louisiana between Shreveport and Monroe, Ruston is home to Grambling State University and Louisiana Tech University. Its visitors and residents can also find a variety of specialty shops and exquisite restaurants. Come join the annual Louisiana Peach Festival and explore Ruston’s great arts, outdoors, and historic activities, including the military museum, the mural trail, and Lincoln Parish Park.

Louisiana Peach Festival

The Louisiana Peach Festival has been a long-standing Ruston tradition since 1951. Originally created by local peach farmers to promote their industry and the delicious peaches produced in Lincoln Parish, the Peach Festival now accounts for thousands of visitors from near and far. The festival brings tens of thousands of visitors annually to downtown Ruston on the first Saturday in June to explore the region’s homegrown flavors, art, music, and culture. The mouthwatering food options are a staple of the festival. You have to see, or rather taste, to believe the variety of peach dishes—from a rich scoop of fresh peach ice cream to a juicy bourbon peach pulled pork sandwich. And you can’t miss the 12+ hours of live music and the works of talented art vendors lining the street. A trip to the Peach Festival wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Mitcham Farms Peach Orchard. Drop in to try their world-renowned Ruston Red peaches and tour the largest peach orchard in Louisiana.

Let’s Dish

Every year, local restaurants embrace the spirit of the Peach Festival and indulge in the season with peach sweets and savories added to their menus. From whimsical peach-infused cocktails to savory peach-style barbecue, there are few boundaries and no limits to peach treats in Ruston during peach season.

Uptown Downtown

An ideal spot for a quick lunch, sweet treats, and specialty goods, Uptown Downtown is a Ruston staple in the charming downtown area. Uptown Downtown’s seasonal peach dishes are one of a kind, including the peach cannoli. Other dishes on the peachy menu include the peach cobbler cheesecake, peach dumplings, peach ice box pies, jalapeño peach cheeseballs, peach-glazed shrimp jalapeño popper grilled cheese, and peachy crunchy chicken salad. Uptown Downtown is a Peach Festival must-try.

Common Goods Co.

Peaches and cream toast from Common Goods in Ruston.

Known for its delicious pastries, teas, coffee drinks, and signature toasts on homemade breads, Common Goods Co. is a local bread bakery and coffeehouse that thrives during peach season. The peachy treats include spiced peach cupcakes, frozen peach lemonade, and a mouthwatering peaches-and-cream toast topped with whipped cinnamon cream cheese and local Ruston peaches.

Beau Vines

Peach bbq burger from Grown & Grazed in Ruston.

A classic American steakhouse experience with hints of creole influence throughout the menu, Beau Vines is a local favorite in Ruston. A perfect destination for peach season, Beau Vines will keep you coming back for peach-infused cocktails, such as the spicy peach margarita, and peachy desserts, like the famous cheesecake-stuffed beignets topped with peach ice cream.

Grown and Grazed

The Grown and Grazed downtown food truck is known for serving some of the best breakfast and burgers in North Louisiana. Located in the Heard Freighthouse Food Park, it has delicious peachy options, such as the peach scones and peach cookies. The savory peach BBQ burger is a lunch favorite, perfect for the midday refuel during the week leading up to the Peach Festival.

Sip the Season

In honor of peach season in Ruston, Beau Vines Steakhouse shared their peachy take on a classic margarita cocktail. Enjoy their spicy peach margarita on a bright sunny day as you plan your getaway to Ruston.

Plan your peach season trip to Ruston by visiting RustonLincoln.com.