For the third consecutive year at the Chilton County Peach Festival Auction, Mark and Melissa Knight of M and M Farms took first place with their prize-winning basket — which sold to the Chilton Farmers Federation for $2,300.

The PF13 variety turned out to be the biggest and the best batch of peaches at the annual auction, but grower Mark Knight was modest about his accomplishment.

“Most everybody can grow a pretty good peach,” he said.

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Aside from basic care and keeping an eye on the weather, the key ingredient to winning first place seems to be good timing. This year, just as in 2008, the PF13s ripened at just the right time.

“It comes off almost the perfect time for this time period,” Knight said. “Plus, they are a good peach with good color. They will grow to a good size if you properly thin them and give them good nutrition.”

Knight said he was grateful for winning but that the outcome could have easily been different.

“It’s just people and opinions. Anybody can win. There are some great farmers here,” he said.

The top 24 baskets Saturday sold for a grand total of $11,775. The money goes to the Clanton Lions Club, which supports charities such as Alabama Sight, an organization that assists people with low vision.

Following is a list of the remaining baskets, along with growers and winning bidders. After the top five, the baskets are ranked in order of bidding.

2. Jerry Harrison, Topaz variety — sold to Peoples Southern Bank for $1,600.

3. Patterson Farms, Gala variety — sold to Clanton Tractor for $1,000.

4. Seth Knight, Harvester variety — sold to Congressman Spencer Bachus for $1,000.

5. Josh Smitherman, Lucky 13 variety — sold to The Clanton Advertiser for $800.

M and M Farms, PF13 variety — sold to Rep. Cam Ward for $500.

Jerry Harrison, Cornette-N variety — sold to Bradley Byrne for $500.

Henry and Suzanne Williams, Cary Mac variety — sold to C&C Trophy and Sign for $500.

Henry and Suzanne Williams, Cary Mac variety — sold to Kay Ivey for $300.

Culp Fruits, Topaz variety — sold to Rep. Jimmy Martin for $300.

Kenneth Easterling, Cary Mac variety — sold to Chilton County Sheriff Kevin Davis for $250.

Courtney Farms, Harvester variety — sold to Circuit Court Clerk Glenn McGriff for $150.

Courtney Farms, Harvester variety — sold to Jim Wadsworth of Wadsworth Oil for $300.

Penton Farms, Harvester variety — sold to Dorman Grace for $250.

Penton Farms, Harvester variety — sold to John Shearon for $200.

Culp Fruits, Topaz variety — sold to Clanton Tractor for $200.

Josh Smitherman, Sunnyland variety — sold to Specialty Screen Printers for $200.

Patterson Farms, Gala variety — sold to Congressman Spencer Bachus for $200.

Roger Smitherman, Red Haven variety — sold to Jimmy Hayes for $200.

Henry and Suzanne Williams, Harvester variety — sold to Martin Funeral Home for $225.

Henry and Suzanne Williams, Flavor Crest variety — sold to Peoples Southern Bank for $200.

Chilton Research and Extension Center, Peach Jubilee variety — sold to Congressman Spencer Bachus for $200.

Chilton Research and Extension Center, Peach Jubilee variety — sold to Bobby Cook for $175.

Chilton Research and Extension Center, Peach Jubilee variety — sold to Architectural Design for $225.