05/26/2024
This year marks the 77th Anniversary of the celebration of our famous Peach industry. The first Peach Festival was held in 1947. Several years in the 1950’s, no festivals were held for various reasons, peach crops were destroyed by bad weather, men were gone to war, and a tragic plane crash. By all indications, this year's crop will be considered a "bumper crop.” This year Chilton County will have opportunities to celebrate our peaches and peach farmers every weekend through the month of June.
The Merchants Association of Chilton County will kick things off with a county-wide sidewalk sale on Friday June 7. Businesses all across the County will be displaying merchandise on the sidewalks to sell. The details can be found on Facebook of Chilton County. Y'all help kick off the Peach festivities by shopping local.
Friday night, June 7, will kick off the Annual Peach Jam Jubilee in the Clanton City Park at 6:00 p.m. on the Main Stage. The night will feature gospel music. Justin Caton, Thorsby First Baptist Church Associate Pastor, will open the program with an inspirational message. Matt Littlejohn of Clanton, will be the first singer of the evening. Following Littlejohn will be Rhett Walker, who is a Grammy nominated singer and songwriter who makes his home in Nashville, Tennessee. Walker is a preacher's son from Aiken, South Carolina. He has several gospel recordings including, "When Mercy Found Me" and "Man On The Middle Cross.”
Saturday, June 8, is packed full of things for everyone. The Peach Jam Jubilee will continue at 11:00 a.m. The Chilton County Chamber of Commerce will host over 270 vendors featuring Arts and Crafts, Food Trucks, Inflatables Kids Zone, Hot Air Balloons, and more. There will also be a Farmer's Market, peaches, and an Antique Car Show. Admission is free!
The first weekend of Peach Celebration will be capped off by southern blues and country music. Charlie Argo, a native of Selma, Alabama, will entertain you with his signature "Southern Soul" sound at 6:30 p.m. His songs combine country with a hint of Blues. The show's headliner is Chris Janson, a 38 year-old from Perryville, Missouri. Janson is a three-time CMA nominee. In 2018, he took home the ACM Video of the Year award for his song "Drunk Girl.” The song also won the Song of the Year at the 2018 MusicRow Awards. Argo and Janson are sure to entertain Chilton County.
The Annual Peach Run will be held on Saturday, June 15. The races will begin at Cornerstone Fitness and Wellness on Lay Dam Road. From the start at Cornerstone, the race route will follow a path through downtown Clanton. There will be a one mile fun run/walk, a 5k and a 10k event. Entry fees and prize awards can be found on the Running in the USA website.
A county-wide Farmers Market will be held on Friday, June 21. Farmers will have "roadside style" booths set up in various locations throughout the county. The location details can be found on Facebook Association of Chilton County.
The Peach Pageants will be held June 22-27. Beginning on Saturday, June 22, with Little Miss Peach. The Young Miss Peach Pageant will take the stage on Monday, June 24. On Tuesday, June 25, the contestants for Junior Miss Peach will take the stage. The Peach Pageants will finalize on Thursday night, June 27 with the crowning of the 2024 Peach Queen. All Pageants will be held in the McKee Auditorium of Chilton County High School auditorium at 6:00 p.m.
The City Of Clanton will host Peach City Fest on Friday, June 28, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Several downtown businesses will remain open on this night to allow longer shopping hours. Food trucks will also be on hand, as well as multiple merchandise vendors.
The month-long celebration will culminate on Saturday, June 29. The final day will kick off with the annual Peach Parade through the streets of Clanton. The Peach Auction will immediately follow the Peach Parade. The Peach Auction will take place at Senior Connection which is located in the Park Plaza Shopping Center adjacent to the city pool.
This year's festival could break all records from previous years. Everyone make your plans to attend at least one event. I hope to see you at each event. Farmers, in the words of the late R.M. "Bob" Tucker... our ink-stained hat is off to you! There is a phrase that he said often and I think it was coined by his father, Ben Tucker,
"CHILTON COUNTY PEACHES ARE TOPS!”
