Lion’s Club Peach Auction raises money for Chilton County
Published 11:06 am Tuesday, July 1, 2025
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By Andrew White | Staff Writer
Clanton Lions Club raised a total of $65,400 at the Chilton County Peach Auction this year. Harrison Fruit Farms took first in the competition for the first time since 2007 with a basket that sold for $15,000. The purchaser of the most expensive basket was McKinnon Toyota Nissan. Knight Farms, who won the competition last year, took second and sold their basket for $5,000. The purchaser of that basket was Shelby Concrete. JJ’s Produce had the third basket, which sold for $4,000 to the Chilton County Farmers Federation. The fourth-place basket was from NH. View Orchards. It sold for $4,000 as well, and it was bought by Clanton Tractor. The fifth-place basket was from Todd’s Produce, and it sold to Sav Mor for $2,000.
In the youth division, Bentley Farms was first and sold their basket to Sav Mor for $2,000. Knight Farm took second and sold their basket to Philip Giles for $2,000.
“I’d like to thank the peach growers because without them we wouldn’t have a festival,” said Glenn McGriff who spearheaded the organization of the auction. “They’re the backbone of our county and of our country.”
The money raised by the Clanton Lions Club goes to 20 different organizations and back into Chilton County. The money raised, first off helps pay for the auction, giving $50 to each basket entered and $2,500 to baskets that place in the competition.
“So many people work so hard to put this festival on,” said McGriff.
The money also goes towards scholarships for the Queens of the Peach Pageant, which the Lions Club also helps put on. Money also goes back into the Chilton community in the form of donations to non-profits. One of the biggest non profits that the club donates to is Alabama Sight. Alabama Sight helps the community by giving away free eye tests out of two mobile testing trucks that regularly visit the county.
The Lions Club also donates money to the YMCA of Chilton County, Relay For Life, the Special Olympics, Alabama Cancer Foundation, Youth Baseball, Autistic Awareness and it helps put on the peach growers conference in Clanton every year.
“Today just goes to show you what small community is all about,” said McGriff.
The peach auction this year also saw some more popular faces in the form of politicians. Before the auction started, McGriff had anyone running for public office stand up and introduce themselves to the crowd.
“I’ve been doing this for over 40 years, today was probably the biggest crowd I’d ever seen at the peach auction,” said McGriff.
TOP 5 PEACH BASKETS:
FIRST PLACE — Bounty variety from Harrison Fruit Farms sold to McKinnon Toyota Nissan for $15,000.
SECOND PLACE — PF 24-7 variety from Knight Farms sold to Shelby Concrete for $5,000.
THIRD PLACE — Loring variety from JJ’s Produce sold to Chilton County Farmers Federation for $4,000.
FOURTH PLACE —July Prince variety from NH. View Orchards sold to Clanton Tractor for $4,000.
FIFTH PLACE — Bounty variety from Todd’s Produce sold to Sav Mor for $2,000.
TOP YOUTH BASKETS:
FIRST PLACE — Loring variety from Bentley Farms sold to Philip Giles for $2,000.
SECOND PLACE — PF 24-7 variety from Knight Farms sold to McInnis for $2,500.
OTHER BASKETS SOLD:
PF.17 variety from C+J Farms sold to Dr. Jeff Price.
July Prince variety from Henry Williams sold to Hilyer Law firm.
July Prince variety from Burnette Farms sold to Chilton County Farmers Federation.
Bounty variety from Chilton Research + Extension Center sold to Ellison Funeral Home.
Bounty variety from Chilton Research + Extension Center sold to Morlyn’s Jewelry.
PF.17 variety from C+J Farms sold to the Chilton County Republican Party.
PF 24-007 variety from Knight Farms sold to Sun South.
PF 24 variety from C+J Farms sold to Cardeen Dobson.
July Prince variety from Langsten Farms sold to River Bank.
July Prince variety from JJ’s produce sold to Coca Cola.
July Prince variety from Henry + Suzanne sold to AL Bridge Builders.
Bounty variety from Kenneth + Kenyon sold to Sheriff John Shearon.
July Prince variety from Harrison Fruit Farm sold to Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims.
Bounty variety from Mt. View Orchards sold to Martin Funeral Home.
Loring variety from Kenneth/Kenyon sold to Kissel Entertainment.
July Prince variety from Burnette Farms sold to Alabama State Rep. Van Smith.
PF 24-7 variety from Knight Farms sold to Alabama State Rep. Van Smith.
PF 24-007 variety from Knight Farms sold to Garrison Farm & Home Center.
PF 17 variety from Jerimad + Jessa Jones sold to Carol Cook Carter.
Johnny T variety from Wise Farms sold to Evan Wyatt.
Loring variety from Annebell + Abby Ross sold to Champ Concrete.
July Prince variety from McCrow Farm sold to Alabama Sen. April Weaver.
July Prince variety from Patterson Farms sold to Alabama Attorney James Mitchell
Johnny T variety from Wise Farms sold to The Clanton Advertiser.
July Prince variety from Patterson Farms sold to Wes Allen.
July Prince variety from Patterson Farms sold to Ellison Funeral Home.
July Prince variety from Patterson Farms sold to 19th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Dee Dee Calhoun.
