Due to the COVID-19 virus, the 37^th annual Johnston, SC, Peach Blossom Festival was cancelled this month, but the Festival wants to proudly recognize the selection that had been made for the parade’s Grand Marshal: Martha Gibson, a well-known and well-loved member of the community.

Mrs. Gibson has spent most of her adult life making Johnston and Edgefield County a better place to work and live. 

Born in Charleston in 1923, she moved to Aiken in the late forties after graduating from Winthrop University to teach music at the old Aiken Elementary School. One night at a drive-in movie theater, she and a teaching friend both met their future husbands in the car parked next to them. She would marry hers, the late James William Gibson of Johnston, June 12, 1953.  

Moving to Johnston shortly thereafter, she would lead a life of public service in the school system for the next 30 years with periods of teaching at Edgefield High School, W.E. Parker and Johnston Elementary School, all while raising five children.

A faithful member of Harmony United Methodist Church for nearly 70 years, Mrs. Gibson played the piano and was very active in children’s programs, Vacation Bible School and numerous committees. She has also been an active member of the Johnston Women’s Club.

Mrs. Gibson speaks warmly on all her years spent in Johnston and the Ridge, which “has always been so very nice, everyone knew each other and helped each other.” She remembers her years in the classroom fondly too, although there were often both challenges and challenging students.  

Even today while out in town, it gives her great joy to run into a former pupil who remembers being taught or helped or guided by Mrs. Gibson. Her favorite part of teaching: “When you finally made a connection with a child – giving the gift of learning.” 

Mrs. Gibson says her proudest legacy is her five children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  

Congratulations to this year’s Peach Blossom Festival Grand Marshal Mrs. Martha Gibson!

The Johnston Development Corporation, a non-profit volunteer organization, sponsors the Festival. The Corporation works to aid the community in areas such as economic development, education, recreation, historic preservation, tourism, scientific and cultural opportunities, and continued promotion of Johnston.

JDC, sponsor of both, donates funds to help community

The 2020 Johnston Peach Blossom Festival, scheduled for May 2, has been cancelled.

Dean Campbell, Chairman of the Johnston Development Corp. (JDC), the non-profit organization that sponsors the Festival, said the Board decided with great sadness to cancel this year’s 37^th annual Peach Blossom Festival. The decision was made based on the recommendations from the Town, Governor, and the CDC in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are heartbroken to make this decision, but we believe it is the right one to keep Festival attendees, vendors, and workers all safe,” Campbell said. 

The popular Festival will not be held at an alternate date; the JDC plans to hold it next May.

The Miss Peach Blossom Pageants scheduled for April 4 are also cancelled.

In addition, the JDC was also sponsoring three springtime Community Concerts in the Park in Johnston on the first Friday of April, May, and June in front of Johnston Elementary School. Due to the COVID-19 concerns, all three concerts have also been cancelled.

Given the community needs right now, the JDC Board also decided this week to donate $2,000 to help the local community’s most at-risk citizens. The organization is donating $1,000 to the Johnston Food Bank to help with their increased demand. An additional $1,000 is being donated to the Edgefield County Senior Citizens Center for the meal delivery program.

“Our Board wants to do its part in helping our community and at-risk citizens through this unprecedented time,” Campbell said.

The Johnston Development Corporation, a non-profit volunteer organization, sponsors the Festival. The Corporation works to aid the community in areas such as economic development, education, recreation, historic preservation, tourism, scientific and cultural opportunities, and continued promotion of Johnston.

A community-wide Christmas Holiday kickoff will be held in Johnston the Sunday after Thanksgiving, December 1, 4-6 p.m., in downtown Johnston.

Steve Hall, Pastor of Johnston Church of God, is Chairing the program again this year. The event is co-sponsored by Johnston Church of God and the Johnston Development Corporation.

From 4-5:45 p.m. at the Municipal Parking Lot, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Program will be held, featuring performances by area church choirs and the reading of the Christmas Story. The Johnston Elementary School Chorus will also perform. The Town Christmas Tree will be lit at the end of the program at 6 p.m. by Johnston Mayor Terrence Culbreath. Santa plans to drop in between 4-5 p.m.

Local churches will sponsor games and fun activities for children. Refreshments will also be available.

The events are free and open to all.

The Johnston Development Corporation, a non-profit volunteer organization that has helped the Town of Johnston grow in many ways for over 30 years, works to aid the community in areas such as economic development, education, recreation, historic preservation, tourism, scientific and cultural opportunities, and continued promotion of Johnston.