Peach Jam to offer fun for all

Published 5:28 pm Thursday, June 23, 2016

Packed park: The annual Peach Jam Jubilee brings thousands of attendees to Clanton City Park.

Packed park: The annual Peach Jam Jubilee brings thousands of attendees to Clanton City Park.

The Peach Festival’s largest event this year promises more fun than ever.

The Peach Jam will be held from 5-10 p.m. Friday at Clanton City Park, featuring live entertainment, over 130 vendors, a kid zone and more attractions.

Thousands of attendees are expected at the free event, which is hosted by the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce.

Ready to jam: Birmingham-based Rollin’ in the Hay will perform from 6:40-7:25 p.m. and again from 7:35-8:20 p.m.

Ready to jam: Birmingham-based Rollin’ in the Hay will perform from 6:40-7:25 p.m. and again from 7:35-8:20 p.m.

“We at the Chamber feel that the Peach Jam is very significant as it fills the gap in the ‘Peach Week’ activities,” Chamber Director Janice Hull said. “We have visitors who come for some portion of the Peach Festival and Saturday’s parade, so it makes sense to have an event on Friday evening.

“Volunteers and sponsors are so important. There are too many to name, but special thanks go to our event sponsor, Stokes Automotive, and our stage sponsor, the city of Clanton.”

The Chamber’s Peach Jam Committee, Chairman Jason Calhoun and staff members Lynsie Glasscock and Christina Wilkins plan all aspects of the event.

The Stokes Automotive Kick-Off will be at 5:05 p.m., followed by several local performers.

See the full line-up below.

Opening Ceremony will be at 6:10 p.m., with the National Anthem performed by Hannah Tierce, National Guard ceremony and recognition of public officials.

Senior Connection members will perform a line dance shortly after the Opening Ceremony, and at 6:40 p.m., the band Rollin’ in the Hay will take the stage for a 45-minute set.

After a break, Rollin’ in the Hay will resume at 7:35 p.m. and play until 8:20 p.m., when LJ’s Boutique will be displayed.

Deja Blue Band will cap off the evening by playing from 8:45-10 p.m.

At rollininthehay.com, the band is described as “high-octane groove grass with a touch of down-home foot stompin.’”

Based in Birmingham, Rollin’ in the Hay has opened for artists including Greg Allman, Moe, Charlie Daniels, The Doobie Brothers, Jerry Douglas, Alabama and Widespread Panic, and has produced six self-released albums and 15 nationally released instrumental tributes called the “Pickin’ On” series.

Band members are Rick Carter (vocals and guitar), Stan Foster (vocals and electric bass), Johnny Kulinich (guitar and mandolin) and Leif Bondarenko (vocals and drums).

According to dejablueonline.com, Deja Blue presents the best in rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and dance favorites with four lead vocalists, a tight rhythm section, seasoned horns and a common love of music.

The band includes Neville Bearden (bass, vocals), Doug Thomas (tenor sax), Mark Palmer (guitar, vocals), John Nuckols (drums), Lester Harris (trumpet, vocals) and Gene Flippo (keyboards, vocals).

The weather forecast calls for a warm but dry day, with the high temperature reaching 95 degrees but cooling somewhat by the time the event begins and more so when the sun goes down.

The Peach Festival will conclude with the Peach Parade beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday in downtown Clanton, followed by the Peach Auction, which is a fundraiser for the Clanton Lions Club to be held at Jack Hayes Field at Clanton City Park.

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Peach Jam 2016 Line-Up

5:05-5:10 Kick-Off with Stokes Automotive

5:10-5:25 Children’s Fashion Show

5:25-5:33 Halls of Ivy

5:33-5:41 Just Twirl It

5:41-5:49 Impact Martial Arts

5:50-5:55 Senior Connection

5:55-6:10 Central Cheer Dance & Twirl

6:10-6:25 Opening Ceremony

6:25-6:35 Senior Connection Line Dance

6:35-6:40 Stokes

6:40-7:25 Rollin’ in the Hay

7:25-7:35 Stokes (introduction of local queens)

7:35-8:20 Rollin’ in the Hay

8:20-8:40 LJ’s Boutique

8:40-8:45 Stokes

8:45- 10:00 Deja Blue Band