Homemade Peach Cobbler

Written by Amanda Quimby, CVB Marketing Director
Recipe provided by Delinda Coleman

One thing we all love about summer is the yummy dishes and desserts made with fresh, hand-picked Ruston peaches! And our administrative assistant's mother has the perfect recipe for homemade peach cobbler. Thanks for sharing with us, Ms. Delinda! 

Ingredients

5-6 medium fresh peaches, sliced 

1 stick butter or margarine

1 ¼ cup sugar 

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 cup self-rising flour

1 cup whole or 2% milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Melt butter in 9x11 dish. In a small saucepan, combine peaches, lemon juice and ¼ cup sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. 

Pour peaches into the dish with the butter. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and 1 cup sugar. Whisk in milk until creamy. Add vanilla. Pour mixture into dish with peaches and butter.

Place into preheated oven. Cook for 35-45 minutes, until dough just starts to become firm.

Remove from oven and sprinkle top with ¼ cup sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon (if desired).

Place back in oven under broiler to brown the top. Do not leave it because it will get too brown fast!

Serve hot with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

Amanda Quimby is a native of Franklin Parish, a University of Louisiana at Monroe alumna and now a proud Ruston resident. As the marketing director for the CVB, she has an love for travel and tourism, and the coolest job ever. Amanda’s favorite things: coffee, wine and swing jazz. When she’s not working, ...just kidding. She’s always working. Follow her on Instagam and Twitter.

NCLAC Peach Art Exhibit

Written by Jessica Slaughter, NCLAC Executive Director 

The North Central Louisiana Arts Council once again invites area artists of all ages to participate in the 28th AnnualPeach Festival Art Exhibit, June 22-July 8, at the Ruston Civic Center! 

This year for the first time the show will last three weeks instead of one, and the Opening Reception will be held on the Thursday preceding the Peach Festival, rather than the weekend before the Festival. Adult artists may participate in four different categories this year: Drawing, Painting, Photography, and 3-Dimensional Arts. Youth artists may participate in one of four age-based categories this year: 6 and Under, 7 to 10 years old, 11 to 14 years old, and 15 to 18 years old. For further descriptions of the categories see the 2015 PAE Entry Form.

Ribbon and cash awards in all categories, ranging from $20 for a Youth Third Place award to $200 for Adult Best in show will be given out at the Opening Reception on Thursday June 25, at 6pm.

If you want to enter work into the Peach Art Exhibit, work must be dropped off at the Ruston Civic Center on Thursday, June 18^th between 9am to 4pm. A non-refundable $20 entry fee will be charged for each Adult category an individual enters, and $10 for each young person that enters. Remember NCLAC Members receive a $5 discount on their entries!

All hanging pieces must be "properly wired" in order to be submitted, with actual wire that is nailed, screwed, or structurally stapled to a sturdy frame able to support the weight of the artwork for the duration of the show. Sawtooth hangers and hooks attached to the back of artwork normally results in work that falls off the wall and may become damaged. NCLAC is not responsible for artwork damaged by improper hanging or display preparation.

Parents please remember that artwork must be original, and must not have been entered in any previous Peach Art Exhibit to be eligible for a category prize! All entries should be appropriate to be viewed by a general audience. If you would like to sell your work, please be aware that NCLAC collects a 15% commission on any works sold from the show venue.

NCLAC would like to thank the 2015 PAE Award Sponsors! Thank you Studio 301 Contemporary Art, Fine Line Supply, The Peach 99.3, Kelly Moore Bag, Bank of Ruston, Community Trust Bank, Beta Sigma Phi, Durrett Title LLC, The Children’s Shoppe, and Ponchatoulas for providing the cash prizes, ribbons, and more this year!

For more information, call the NCLAC office at 318-255-1450, email nclac5@gmail.com, or check out the PAE webpage on NCLAC’s website, at www.nclarts.org. Entry Forms can be found online and at the Dixie Center for the Arts.

NCLAC is supported by its members, and a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, and administered by Shreveport Regional Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tell us about your adventures in #RustonLA!

            

Dos and Don'ts of 2015 Louisiana Peach Festival

Written by Amanda Quimby, CVB Marketing Director

The 65th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival starts two weeks from this very day! It's time to check the schedule and start making plans. June 26 & 27 will be a HUGE weekend in Ruston and we don't want you to miss a thing! Check out our list of "dos" and "don'ts" to get you started.

The Molly Ringwalds bring back 80's jams.

DO

1. See (and taste) the World's Largest Peach Cobbler. The Hampton Inn of Ruston crew has been preparing to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Fruit Cobbler. Witness the official weighing at noon on Saturday then stick around for your free cup of cobbler! Catch up on the story here. 
2. Check out BOTH entertainment stages. An additional stage as been added to the festival this year to keep the entertainment going all day and night! JT Hodges, the Molly Ringwalds, Dash Rip Rock and Monty Russell are among the many performers! Check out the weekend's music line-up here. 
3. Take some selfies at our photo op locations. We'll have an official Louisiana Peach Festival frame set up on Park Avenue along with two Instrgram selfies frames. Take a minute to capture the fun! Be sure to share them with us! @RustonCVB
4. Check the outlying events schedule. Click here to see events throughout Ruston like the Peach Fine Art Exhibit, rodeo, bass tournament, etc. 
5. Get some peach ice cream. We were all deeply troubled by the Blue Bell Ice Cream Crisis, but fear not, Peach Fest will have delicious peach ice cream!

Fresh peaches for sale at Mitcham Farms!

DON'T

1. Leave town without visiting Mitcham Farms Peach Orchard. Mitcham Farms is the largest peach grower in Ruston! Swing by for a bucket of fresh, hand-picked peaches. Be sure to stop inside the peach store for every peach product you can imagine!
2. Forget to purchase your 2015 Peach Fest t-shirt and poster. They're available at the CVB/Chamber office, multiple location throughout Ruston AND at the festival.
3. Miss the after party at The Revelry. We're excited for Whiskey Myers live at The Revelry following the festival Friday night. Show starts at 10:00pm and you must be 18+ to enter. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Admission is FREE if you purchase your festival armband at the CVB prior to June 24th!
4. Forget to bring the kids a change of clothes. Water slides have been added to the list of children's activities! Don't leave home without extra clothes!
5. Share your festival experience without using the hashtags #LAPeachFest15 and #RustonLA. We want to see and share your photos! Tag us @RustonCVB and @LAPeachFest!

Amanda Quimby is a native of Franklin Parish, a University of Louisiana at Monroe alumna and now a proud Ruston resident. As the marketing director for the CVB, she has an love for travel and tourism, and the coolest job ever. Amanda’s favorite things: coffee, wine and swing jazz. When she’s not working, ...just kidding. She’s always working. Follow her on Instagam and Twitter.