I landed in Chilton County during the middle of Peach Fest last year. Those two or three days were pretty much a whirlwind of activity, pageants, parades and the auction.

I’ve often said this past year that it was a great way to be introduced to Chilton County – the county’s way of life and its most important industry.

I’m looking forward to this year’s Peach Fest even more. Over the course of the past year, I’ve witnessed how much hard work goes into the festival each year and have developed a deep respect for the men and women who worked behind the scenes to make this great week happen.

I can’t even start to name names because I would leave someone out. But I will say Lions Club member Tom Brown has done an outstanding job this year.

Brown took over the club’s Peach Festival chairmanship for this year. Longtime chair Richard Davis relinquished the role in 2010 due to health concerns. Brown has said Davis hopes to return as chairman next year. In the meantime, the festival remains in good hands under Brown’s leadership.

Peach Festival activities actually start as early as this Saturday, with a pool party for the Peach Pageant contestants. I would say things “officially” kick off next week though with the Rotary Club’s fishing tournament and Cornerstone Peach Run on Saturday, June 19.

The last full week of the month will be filled with events, with the pageants on Saturday, June 19; Monday, June 21; Tuesday, June 22; and Thursday, June 24. They will be followed by the Peach Jam on Friday, June 25 and then the Peach Parade and Auction on Saturday, June 26.

Upcoming information and details of all the events can be found in our upcoming guide to the Peach Fest, which will be inserted into next Weekend’s paper.