There are few things I find more promising than rural Oklahoma. As a girl who was raised with a rural route address, small towns have a special place in my heart. It’s here, in the heartbeat of Oklahoma, you’ll find a little piece of magic glistening through the American flags lining Main Street, the boutiques at the main intersection, and the friendly waves from the local traffic.

Partner the refreshing innocence of small towns with fresh produce, and you find the definition of perfection. Perfection by my definition, but is it by others? That was the goal of Saturday – to determine if my definition is shared by fellow adventurers.
 

If my weekend adventures had a sound track, it would include Jason Aldean's "Fly Over States" and a lot of the Presidents of the United States’ “Peaches” track: Movin' to the country; gonna eat a lot of peaches. Clearly, this would be a winning combination of lyrics for attending the Stratford Peach Festival, right?

Stratford, population 1,474, welcomed more than 5,000 visitors with cheeky smiles and open doors. As I pulled into town, I knew within moments the day’s adventures would appeal to more than one demographic. Sales lined every street and a plethora of vendors filled the Stratford City Park. Seekers of treasures and trinkets were wanted, peach ice cream as ransom.
 

For months I’ve been dazzled by conversations of Stratford Peaches, a true Made in Oklahoma product. This beloved commodity is easily a topic that can bring strangers together and enemies to solid ground. While standing in awe of the fresh peaches, grown locally in my favorite state, I was thankful I chose to embrace the rising temperatures for a Chickasaw Country road trip.
 

Stratford Peaches are showcased before thousands of visitors. Who needs farmer’s markets when you can go straight to the source?
 

For $5, I walked away with a bag of peaches. An entire bag. Lacking willpower, I made approximately three steps before sinking my teeth into one of the most delectable peaches in the history of the universe.

For a few seconds, the world stopped spinning, my taste buds sang a glorious chorus and my eyes twinkled like a child on Christmas morning.
 

Thank you, Oklahoma farmers, for your hard work. It’s truly appreciated.
 

Within an hour, I had found homemade peach ice cream and freshly squeezed lemonade, listened to a band cover Journey and demolished a half dozen peaches. But, I needed more. For this to be a festival deserving the ranking of perfection, there needed something special that could make a splash.

I ventured to the car show. I began falling in love with the muscle cars that were in existence before I was even considered as a possibility.
 

Don’t get me wrong, there’s something about a guy in a pick-up truck - I am from rural Oklahoma, but those muscle cars make my heart swoon.

Forget shotgun, I want to drive one of these. I want to hear the purr of the motor and feel the power beneath my fingertips. Sorry, I digress.
 

If I haven’t sold you on the possibility of perfection in an Oklahoma festival, let’s focus on the children who can be the most honest of audiences. Pony rides, helicopter rides and even bounce houses with built-in sprinklers entertained hundreds of children. The hot weather allowed children to focus, seriously, on the art of cooling off.

It’s been a few years since I’ve been referred to as a child, but it took a lot of restraint not to join in on the fun.
 

Sure, it’s hot; however, we are in Oklahoma and at least we have the wind sweepin' down the plain. Weather couldn’t stop the amazing experiences waiting for visitors in Stratford. If anything, it encouraged greatness. What could be more pleasurable than enjoying fresh peaches on a hot day? It’s a win for everyone involved.

To be in the loop of upcoming events like the Stratford Peach Festival, like Chickasaw Country on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
 

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