Linden-Peters Cherry Festival: A Sweet Community Tradition | May 20, 2023

Vic Solari, the chairman of the annual Linden-Peters Cherry Festival, says that one of his favorite things about the event is the way it provides “a big sense of community with a Smalltown USA feel.” As past president of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Linden-Peters Fire Department for almost 40 years, Vic is about as deeply rooted as any tree, cherry or otherwise, in the area. He has served his community since high school, when he was the president of the FFA, Future Farmers of America, in the early 1970s when the Cherry Festival was still known as the Linden Community Day Fair.

This year the festival will take place on May 20 and will honor another very special and accomplished member of their community, famed New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. Raised in Linden, Aaron graduated from Linden High School in 2010 before going on to achieve his multi-record-breaking career in professional baseball. In homage to him, the theme for this year’s festival is Linden Cherries are Legendary…just like #99 Aaron Judge.

Day’s Festivities
The week before the festival, the Linden-Peters Chamber of Commerce selects its Cherry Festival Queen, a person of excellence and a positive role model, to represent them throughout the coming year. At 10:00 a.m., the parade will commence the day’s festivities in small town fashion, venturing eight to ten blocks from the intersection of Front and Market Streets to the school grounds of Linden Elementary School. Admission is free, and from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., the festival will delight visitors with carnival rides, games, foods and a variety of vendor booths.

The Cherry Festival features a classic car show that attracted over 125 entries last year and continues to grow. Unlike other car shows, which are often held in hot parking lots, this one is situated on cool, clean, green lawn, something Vic says is much appreciated by owners and admirers alike as they stroll amid row upon row of beautiful vintage vehicles, enjoying music and a variety of foods.

Cherries, Always!
Some of those foods vary from year to year, but you can always count on the Linden-Peters Fire Department booth, where they serve delicious, freshly grilled sausages. Another outstanding option is the fabulous street tacos prepared by the Holy Cross Catholic Church. Over at the FFA’s booth, they sell tri tip sandwiches prepared by the Lion’s Club. And, for dessert, there are numerous temptations, but one of the most anticipated is always the bake-off contest in which cooks compete to produce the best cherry treats. The original stars of the show, fresh local cherries, are for sale, too, and make a healthy, delicious snack. In addition to selling foods, the FFA has a large booth where they sell plants they have propagated and grown themselves at the Linden High School Agricultural Department.

One of the highlights of the day is the pie eating contest. The pies are cherry, of course. “The contest is hilarious, and the crowd goes wild,” Vic laughed. “One year, Good Day Sacramento came to do a piece on that. It’s really, really a great time.”

With live bands, choirs, magicians and cheerleaders, there is an exuberant enthusiasm at the Linden-Peters Cherry Festival. It is no surprise that visitors come back year after year for the nostalgia, charm, fresh food and fun.

To be a vendor, car show participant, baking contestant or for more information, please visit lindenchamber.net for the appropriate forms and more.