Dozens of Peach Pageant contestants and their parents converged on the city pool Saturday for the annual pool parties, enjoying a little bit of fun before rehearsals begin Monday.

The pool and pizza party is held annually at the city pool and hosted by the Clanton Lions Club.

The contestants in the Junior Miss Peach and Little Miss Peach pageants will begin rehearsals Monday, while contestants in all four categories will hold rehearsals Tuesday.

The first pageant will be the Little Miss Pageant to be held Saturday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chilton County High School auditorium.

The rehearsals and pageants are just a few of the festivities that began Saturday and will continue for two weeks, culminating with the annual Peach Parade and Peach Auction on Saturday, June 27.

Although the events last two weeks, the planning begins months in advance.

“It goes on year round,” Richard Davis, Peach Festival coordinator, said. Davis said the directors had their first meeting in January.

The Peach Festival is important to Chilton County in many ways, including economically.

“We put about $20,000 back into the community,” Davis said.

The community itself becomes involved in putting on the festival. Davis said he had lots of volunteers and helpers in various aspects of the festival. He said 14 women volunteered to help with the pageants this year.

The Little Miss pageant will be held Saturday, June 20, at 6:30 p.m., the Young Miss Peach pageant will take place Monday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m., and the Junior Miss Peach pageant will occur Tuesday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m.

The dress rehearsal for the Miss Peach pageant will be Wednesday, June 24, at 6 p.m.

The Miss Peach pageant will take place Thursday, June 25, at 6:30, while the interview process will begin at 10 a.m. that morning.

The Peach Jam Jubilee will be the next event, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, June 26.

Currently 90 vendors are expected to attend, featuring food, arts and crafts, and even the National Guard Busch Series car.

The Peach Jam will be held in downtown Clanton, with the music located at Corner Park.

Penny Broussard, executive director for the Chamber of Commerce, said she expects a big turnout.

“We had an estimated 10,000 last year and I’m expecting more this year,” Broussard said. “Come early and bring a lawn chair.”

On Saturday, June 27, the parade will begin at 9 a.m., immediately followed by the Peach Auction at 10:30 a.m., which will conclude the festivities.