Ray Schnepf has been growing peaches for over 50 years and Schnepf Farms Peaches have been named the best in the country by Wine Spectator Magazine. They grow 8 different Peach Varieties: Snow Angle, Florida Prince, Earligrand, Springcrest, Florida King, Princess Peach, Schnepf Peach.
The Peaches ripen at different times throughout mid April until May, which makes having availability for the huge crowds on one weekend hard to accommodate.
"The festival has simply become too popular to handle the crowds of people that visit the farm on the single weekend," owner Mark Schnepf said in a statement to ABC15. "And it has become more and more difficult to have peaches ripe for one particular weekend when you depend on Mother Nature." "By spreading out the crowd, we can ensure the public a more enjoyable experience when they come to pick some of the finest peaches in the country," the statement said.
Mark and Carrie Schnepf, the owners of Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, have decided they will instead have the farm open every weekend for the entire six-week peach season. The farm will be open Thursdays through Sundays.
There will be no more tasting tents or live music, but some of the festival's staples will remain. On Saturdays, they will have grilled peach pancakes for sale.People will still be able to pick their own peaches from the farm's 5,000 peach trees, go to the petting zoo and go on the rides. The bakery will also still make and sell its large peach-filled cinnamon rolls, peach cobbler and muffins.
Peach sales can also be done by pre order online, or calling by 480-987-3100.
They also hold a Christmas at Schnepf Farms event in the Winter and a Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili festival in the Fall.
