GOING NUTS FOR

A behind-the-scenes look at The World’s Largest Peanut Boil

It’s early morning, and the unmistakable scent of freshly boiled peanuts fills the air as people line up in anticipation of savoring the salty, soft treats. Smiles are everywhere, and volunteers scramble to get the first batch ready to sell.

This scene happens every Labor Day weekend in Luverne, when the Crenshaw County Alcazar Shrine Club hosts its annual charity event. The World’s Largest Peanut Boil is a five decades-old tradition that gains more popularity with every passing year. Multiple batches of freshly boiled peanuts — delivered from Holland Farms in Florida by the truckload — are prepared throughout the day for four full days. By the end of the final day, everything is usually sold out. every year, eventually leading to the construction of the shed where it is currently hosted.

The peanut boil is organized and hosted by the Crenshaw County Alcazar Shrine Club, an Alcazar Shriners of Montgomery branch. Each club works to support the mission of Shriners International, “to change and improve lives,” with a focus on philanthropy. The proceeds from the event will benefit Shiners International, the organization that runs Shriners Children’s hospitals and outpatient centers. Every year, the event is also dedicated to the memory of an Alcazar Shrine Club member or a member’s wife. The World’s Largest Peanut Boil relies heavily on the help of volunteers who prepare, bag and sell the long-awaited delicacy.

Crenshaw County Shrine Club President

Andy Compton says the event started in the early 1970s with a group of Shriners looking to raise money. “They got together, bought some peanuts, loaded them on a pickup truck, and started selling a couple hundred pounds of boiled peanuts on the street,” he says. The fundraiser grew

“It started as a Shrine Club event and grew into a major community event,” Compton says. “The Crenshaw County Shrine Club still hosts and organizes it, but nowadays, most people helping out with the event are volunteers. It’s something the whole community looks forward to year after year.”

During the pandemic, crowds were smaller, and volunteers were harder to find. Compton says the event was still a success despite the challenges. “We tried to follow all safety guidelines. There were fewer people helping, and many were being cautious,” he says. “But we were still able to reach our goal and were sold out at the end.”

In 2022, things bounced back to normal. The crew started at 4:30 a.m. firing up