Life is peachy-keen at Schnepf Farms where this annual festival fills the orchards with smiling children and families in search of $2 a pound fresh, ripe peaches, family friendly entertainment and hot-off-the-griddle peach pancakes, served from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The festival begins May 18 and runs through Memorial Day and includes hay rides, peach pit spitting contests, live music May 18 and 19, roller coaster and other fair-type rides, as well as a “Peachy Sampling Tent,” where you can purchase a panorama of peach-related products. Other food options, including burgers and hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwhices, salads and kettle corn are also available.

Easter offers an ideal opportunity to enjoy family, faith and our beautiful spring weather, especially with the plethora of activities going on around town this weekend. Events ranging from a dino egg hunt to an Easter brunch “down on the farm” provide locations and price points to suit almost everyone.

Over the last 10 years, Queen Creek has seen its share of change. Empty fields and vacant store fronts are now home to mega shopping centers, homes and a variety of small businesses tucked in between.

If what you know of United States history came out of school textbooks, prepare to be enthralled by our shared past as never before.

It’s that time of year to get out and enjoy an entire day picking your favorite pumpkin, eating caramel apples, visiting a petting zoo and ending the night with fireworks and a haunted house. Or, to just take stroll through the pumpkin patch to snap a few photos with your family. Either way, the Valley has it all, and this is your one-stop guide for fall festivities in the East Valley.

Without changing leaves and crisp air, we Valley dwellers rely on other harbingers to let us know autumn has arrived.

It’s that time of year to get out and enjoy an entire day picking your favorite pumpkin, eating caramel apples, visiting a petting zoo and ending the night with fireworks and a haunted house. Or, to just take stroll through the pumpkin patch to snap a few photos with your family. Either way, the Valley has it all, and this is your one-stop guide for fall festivities in the East Valley.

A look at key Queen Creek facts and figures

Whether you want to explore a classy art festival or cheer at the ostrich, or even Chihuahua races, the East Valley has it! Let’s take advantage of our Arizona paradise and dance outdoors to live music, indulge during a cook-off, put on our boots for the rodeo and Old West Days, or run foot races.

Business leaders and members of the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce have submitted their votes for the Chamber’s 3rd Annual Business Awards and will decide the winners on Sept. 20.

I started loving the Queen Creek area years before I actually lived here. I heard stories about the wonderful times people would have when they would visit Schnepf Farms to pick organic peaches or visit the U Pick Garden, and the beauty of sweeping, desert vistas available only from trails in San Tan Mountain Regional Park.

Summers are great for getting new seasonal produce. I get really excited about all the new fruits that come into season and go on sale. Recently, my husband and I went to Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek to pick peaches. We ended up with about 5 pounds for $2 a pound. I planned on freezing some for summer smoothies and a healthy cobbler. We ended up eating all of the fruit instead.

Chandler 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

Gear up in your red, white and blue for these East Valley events to celebrate another year of independence.

Central Arizona College unveiled earlier this month plans for the first phase of its proposed San Tan Valley campus, set to break ground at the end of 2012.

According to Mark Schnepf, his 300-acre farm will host 10,000 to 15,000 visitors each day of this weekend’s Peach Festival in Queen Creek. It also runs May 19-20.

According to Mark Schnepf, his 300-acre farm will host 10,000 to 15,000 visitors each day of this weekend’s Peach Festival in Queen Creek. It also runs May 19-20.

The sweet aroma in the peach orchards alone is worth a trip to Schnepf Farms this time of year. Add sunshine, a breeze, twittering birds and friendly faces, and it’s an entire urban escape experience.

The sweet aroma in the peach orchards alone is worth a trip to Schnepf Farms this time of year. Add sunshine, a breeze, twittering birds and friendly faces, and it’s an entire urban escape experience.