Porter Peach Festival
July 18th 19th 20th 2024
Peach Pageant History
For over 50 years now, the Porter Lions Club has sponsored the annual Porter Peach Pageant. Serving as ambassadors for the town and its rich agricultural history, the Peach Pageant royalty throughout the years has represented the town at the annual Porter Peach Festival, in our neighboring communities, and on television and radio. The first Miss Peach was crowned in 1967. With the exception
of 2 years (1974 and 2020 which had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic), young women from the community have been chosen as Peach Royalty. In 1979, Miss Peach Bud was introduced for elementary girls. Junior high girls became eligible to run for Miss Peach Blossom in the 2009 Peach Pageant. The most recent Peach royalty, People's Choice, was added to the Peach Pageant in 2021. While the format and specifics of the Peach Pageant have changed
through its 58 year history, the consistent themes of supporting community volunteerism and furthering Porter students education have remained the backbone of the competition. Winning contestants receive money or scholarships to further their education and the reigning Miss Peach works with the Porter Lions Club to implement a community improvement project during her time as Miss Peach. Enjoy a look back at pictures of our Peach Royalty and contestants over the last 58 years! If you have pictures of past Peach Pageants we'd love to see them to add to the collection.
The 2010s
The 2011 Pageant Royalty was crowned at the 45th Annual Porter Peach Festival on July 14, 2011. From left: Miss Peach Blossom Lyn Brewer, Miss Peach Bud JoDawn Herriman and Miss Peach Sydnee Boyd.
The 2000s
2007 Peach Royalty Miss Peach Bud Macey Plunk and Miss Peach Alisha Jackson pose with customers Melvin and Irene Wallace, shopping at Livesay Orchards in July 2007. The Wallaces live in Pryor and had already been visiting Porter to buy peaches for 25 years before this day when they bumped into peach royalty.
Miss Peach Ashley Gilliam and Miss Peach Bud Honey Noel Jenkins getting ready for the 2008 Peach Festival.
2003 Peach Pageant Court
Back Left: Kaci Todd (ticket sales winner), Charlene Johnson (Miss Congeniality), Courtney Tedder (first runner up)
Front Left: 2003 Miss Peach Bud Helen Hannah McCollough, 2003 Miss Peach Queen Evelyn Jordan
2003 Miss Peach Bud Helen Hannah McCollough waves to the crowd during the sports and casual wear competition of the Porter Peach Pageant.
Peach Pageant Contestants - 2002
Miss Peach Contestants
Back Left: Amber Stewart, Evelyn Jordan, Lacey Essary Yochum, Lisa Davidson McDowell
Front Left: Amy Martin, Courtney Tedder, Keristy Greer Nieto, Whitney Littlefield
Miss Peach Bud Contestants:
Random Order: Kendall Judkins, Morgan Hays, Cierra Richardson, Lacey Smith, Callista Keck
The first Peach Pageant of the new millennium was a "Black Tie Affair" and contestants competed in formal and casual wear, as well as a choreographed theme wear number.
2000 Miss Peach Contestants pictured are, from left, Jamie Cosper, Dallas Tedder, Lilah Glenn, Analinna Burk and Elizabeth Harsen.
The 1990s
Miss Peach 1997 Competitors for the Crown:
Back Row: Holly Chesbro, Darla Todd, Joyce Huitt
Middle Row: Lynndi Stone, Heatherle Curtis, Melanie Miller
Front Row: Tawnya Dillingham, Katy Bratt Kilgore
Not pictured here is Julie Dilbeck Payne, who won the 1997 crown.