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Volunteers don’t just work, they make it work! Volunteers are needed in planning, promoting and running the event. There are jobs for everyone. Sign-up today if you would like to volunteer. We offer 100+ vendor spaces at the event on Main Street from food and merchandise vendors, to support groups and business partners. Reserve your spot today for 2021 Metro East Pride Fest. Metro East Pride Fest is possible due to the generous support of local businesses, organizations and individuals. There are many sponsor levels to choose from and all donations are greatly appreciated. In recognition of your Time, Support and Ecncouragement behind the scenes of Metro East Pride Metro East Pride is run solely by committed volunteers from around the Metro East region. Help us raise money for Pride Fest and the numerous activities and events that help inspire, educate and celebrate our diverse commun...

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There’s a special kind of excitement that fills the farm at the start of peach season. Long before sunrise, our crew heads into the orchard to begin harvesting the first peaches of the year. I rarely sleep well the night before—I’m always too eager to see that first load of fruit come in. The first pick is usually light. We begin with early cling varieties and slowly build up to larger harvests. At Eckert’s, we harvest each tree up to five times, spaced a few days apart. This approach takes more time and labor, but it’s the only way to ensure each peach is picked at the peak of ripeness. Once a peach is removed from the tree, it stops producing sugar—so the longer it can stay on the branch, the better it tastes. In those early days, our team focuses on training and precision. It might sound simple, but identifying perfectly ripe peaches requires a skilled eye. Here on the farm, we’re...