Taking part in the festivities? Here’s your Peach Festival guide
Published 11:49 pm Thursday, June 27, 2013
The 2013 Chilton County Peach Festival will conclude this weekend with several events planned for the next couple of days.
On Friday, the ninth annual Peach Jam Jubilee will be held from 5-11 p.m. in Clanton City Park. The event is sponsored by the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce and will feature GLOW, an eight-piece dance band from Atlanta, tethered hot air balloon rides if weather permits, and numerous food and arts and crafts vendors.
This map indicates the parking areas being used for attendees of the Peach Jam on Friday. All areas marked will be public parking on a first-come, first-serve basis. The area indicated in blue off of Highway 145 will be parking for handicap and emergency vehicles only. All vendors are to arrive through Hoyt Brownie Road and enter the park. Vendor parking is being provided behind the youth football field.
For more information, email the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce at info@chiltonchamberonline.com.
Also on Friday, the Miss Peach contestants will participate in LJ’s Boutique fashion show at 5 p.m. at the Peach Jam at Clanton City Park.
Clanton Police Chief Brian Stilwell said he is proud of how large the event has become but wants to encourage everyone to arrive early and use caution when traveling in the areas around Clanton City Park.
“There will be plenty of CPD officers and deputies to assist in security, traffic control and parking,” Stilwell said.
•On Saturday, the Peach Classic Fishing Tournament will be held at Higgins Ferry Park from safe light to 2 p.m. The tournament is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Chilton County.
The first place winner will receive $1,500; second place, $750; third place, $500; and fourth place, $250. The entry fee is $100 per boat, which includes a $10 big fish entry per boat, which includes a $10 big fish entry per boat. All fishermen are required to sign in and sign a waiver the day of the tournament. Registration forms are available at The Clanton Advertiser, or call tournament organizer Carl Mims at (205) 646-2641. Those interested can register the morning of the tournament.
•The 2013 Peach Ride benefitting YMCA of Chilton County’s scholarship programs will be presented by Level Riders Chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association of Alabama. Registration starts at 9 a.m. at the Y, located at 405 Ollie Ave. in Clanton. Kickstands go up at 10 a.m., and riders will return to the Y at 12:30 p.m. for lunch, door prizes, 50/50 and live music. The cost is $25 per rider and $10 per passenger. All proceeds benefit YMCA of Chilton County. The ride is sponsored by CARE Ambulance, Air Evac Lifeteam, Stanley Cost No. 411 Jemison and Buck Creek No. 410 Alabaster.
•The annual Peach Festival Parade will begin at 9 a.m. and wind through downtown Clanton. Clanton Police Chief Brian Stilwell said the parade begins in the Fred’s Parking Lot and Fourth Ave. N. and ends back at Fred’s on Third Ave. Floats will begin lining up at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning.
The route of the Peach Festival parade on Saturday is marked in red. Floats will begin lining up at 8 a.m. on Saturday, and the parade begins at 9 a.m. Clanton Police will close the affected roads to all thru traffic at about 8:50 a.m.
Immediately following the parade, CPD will be escorting the 2013 YMCA Benefit Motorcycle Ride. CPD does not plan on closing any roads for this event but encourages drivers to be cautious as the ride is being escorted through Clanton on U.S. Highway 31.
“We anticipate shutting down the affected roads to all through traffic about 8:50 a.m.,” Stilwell said. “Travelers need to be aware of this and plan an alternate route for Saturday morning.”
CPD officers will be at intersections to block traffic during the parade.
•The annual Peach Auction will follow the parade and be held at Jack Hayes Field at Clanton City Park. Farmers enter baskets of peaches, which are then judged. Auctioneers bid on the baskets with proceeds going to the Clanton Lions Club for its charitable work in the community.
•The annual Peach Festival Barbecue sponsored by American Legion Douglas Glass Post 6 will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clanton City Park. Plates are $9 each with a choice of pork or half chicken and baked beans, coleslaw, bread and a drink. All proceeds benefit Chilton County Relay For Life.
•The Peach Classic car show will be held at Goose Pond Park from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The show is sponsored by the Chilton County Cruisers and will include a DJ and concessions. For more information, call Ricky Easterling at (205) 389-0677.
