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Durbin Farms Market employees cut a ceremonial ribbon for the start of peach season. (JOYANNA LOVE/ ADVERTISER)

Josie Short and Linda Cleckler hand out sweet treats.

Community members join Durbin Farms Market staff in the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the opening of peach season.

Customers look for produce at Durbin Farms.

Drake Jones stocks the shelves of peaches at Durbin Farms Market. Chilton County peaches should be available through the beginning of September. (JOYANNA LOVE/ ADVERTISER)

The Peach Queens were present for the celebration.

Sara Watson of Live Well Alabama runs a booth at the event.

Swedish Queens enjoy the fun.

The Miss Chilton County Queens were present for the celebration.

Chilton County Chamber of Commerce director Francine Wasden and Chamber Ambassadors with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate.

By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Durbin Farms Market, community leaders and Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate celebrated the start of the 2019 Chilton County Peach season with a kickoff event on June 7.

“The peach crop is getting better,” owner Danny Jones said. “It started out slow with those first three of four varieties, but everything is starting to pick up now. We are starting to get the bigger peaches and bigger variety.”

“We are proud of Durbin Farms and what they do in support of our economy,” Pate said. “And, I’ll be back in two weeks for the peach parade.”

He said this year peaches should be available through the beginning of September.

“We are excited about it, and ready for a new year,” Danny Jones said.

Danny Jones said he enjoyed the annul kickoff event because it brings the local community to the market since tourists make up a large percentage of its customer base.

“It is just getting the community involved and letting them see who we are and what we are doing and to support the community,” Danny Jones said.

Manager Colby Jones said he enjoys seeing the local community come out in support of the event.

“This is about to be prime peach season here very, very soon,” Colby Jones said.

The peak of the peach season is the end of June to early July.

“About the middle of June is when you are getting freestone peaches and that is when you start getting the other varieties,” Colby Jones said. “We are looking at a great crop.”

Representatives from the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce and many of the local pageant queens were also present for the event.

Peachy treats were available to sample ranging from bread to cider. In addition to fresh cut peaches, fresh cut cantaloupe, watermelon and blueberries were also being given out.

Employee Josie Short said it was her first year to work the event and she was enjoying “all of the people stopping and trying what we have to offer.”

Sara Watson with Live Well Alabama had a booth at the event.

“We promote physical activity and incorporating more fruits and vegetable into one’s diet,” Watson said.

She said she enjoyed seeing people come together to support local peach farmers.

Throughout the season there will be several varieties of peaches available since different peaches are ripe at different times in the season.

Durbin Farms Market summer hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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