GEM COUNTY, Idaho — In early March, the annual Emmett Cherry Festival was set to go off without a hitch, but as the month grew colder, a frigid winter frost ruined 90 percent of the anticipated harvest.
The festival was scheduled for the days of June 17 through June 20, but the Gem County Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel the 86th annual festival.
Local orchard farmers say some varities of cherries faired a little better, but will still yield little to no crops.
The culprits of this yield were the early fruit buds that weren't able to withstand the low temperatures of a late march frost.
Farmers say peach crops also suffered with up to half of the crop lost. Other crops, such as apples and pears, may have survived better, but the frost was simply too harsh to provide a sufficient yield for the majority of Gem County's crops.
For more information on the Emmett Cherry Festival, click here.
