3rd Annual Trojanfest Sees Excitement for New School Year with Mass Attendance, Community Support

FORT VALLEY, Ga. – It was a busy, bustling Saturday at the Peach County High School as Peach County students and their families wandered the halls to learn about the local resources in the community and to receive free school supplies at this year’s Trojanfest. 

Peach County Schools hosted their inaugural Trojanfest Back-to-School event on Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the Peach County High School campus. Students were able to receive free school supplies as well as learn about the local schools and community resources available to them, such as the local libraries and health department. 

Students and their families also had the opportunity to meet with the teachers and administrators from the six Peach County schools: Byron Elementary School, Hunt Elementary School, Kay Road Elementary School, Byron Middle School, Fort Valley Middle School, and Peach County High School. 

Numerous organizations were present to provide free school supplies and information packets on the resources and services they provide. These included the Peach County Transportation Department, the Peach County School Nutrition Program, the Byron Welcome Center, the Fort Valley Utility Commission, State Farm, Blue Bird, Flint Energies, Sunmark Bank, Atrium Navicent Health, the Peach Pit, and more.

Multiple representatives from the local colleges and universities were present, including Fort Valley State University, Central Georgia Technical College, and the University of Georgia. Greek-letter organizations such as Delta Phi Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta were also in attendance.

During the event, the Peach County High School Marching Band, Varsity Cheerleaders, and Flag Corps all participated in welcoming the attendees with a performance. Following that was the introduction of the Peach County High School athletes.

Lara Davis, Director of Career, Technology & Agriculture Education, was ecstatic with the turnout, both from students and their families, as some people arrived as early as 8 a.m.

“I am super excited about Trojanfest today! This is our 3rd Annual Trojanfest, and it’s been growing more and more every year. So, we have more vendors this year, more community partners, and the parents and students,” Davis said. “We had a line all the way down the hallway before it opened at 9 o’clock. So, just an enormous amount of parents and students are here to take advantage of the resources and school supplies we’re offering today.”

Davis explained that the main difference between this and last year’s Trojanfest was the amount of promotion to the community about the event.

“Getting the word out more and more to the community, and as people learn about it, they want to support our students. Every year it’s growing, which is fantastic. We want everyone to be involved, every community and business partner to be a part of it,” Davis said. “We have all of our community resources, things like the health department, some of our mental health providers, churches, and our emergency services. A bunch of different people are here so that people can learn about the community resources in our county. All of our schools are represented so that when families come out, they’re able to meet and interact with people from their individual schools.”

Davis wanted to extend her gratitude to those who helped make Trojan Fest a success.

“I am really overwhelmed by the amount of support our community has shown for this event. We have people and businesses from every area of our community come together,” Davis said. “I’m thankful that they are invested in this event and that they’re here to get their information out, but to help our families have a successful school year.”

Davis also wanted to extend her thanks to the parents of the Peach County students for bringing their children to Trojanfest and supporting the event.

Davis had a message for the new and returning Peach County students.

“We hope that what we are providing today will help you to have a great start. Just know that we’re always here to support you, and we want all of you to be successful!” Davis said.