FOR CHARITY WAKE UP AND SMELL THE PEANUTS

The World’s Largest Peanut Boil by the numbers each of the five 10-foot long boilers. Each boiler tank holds 750 pounds of peanuts and 250 gallons of water. The peanut boil receives massive support from the entire community, including a local familyowned grocery store that donates 2 tons of salt. The peanut boil attracts visitors from near and far. Some return to the shed multiple times during the weekend to buy more peanuts, and many will drive more than three hours to get their fill.

Compton has been involved with organizing the event since the 1990s, and shares a few stories that show how important the peanut boil is. “This one gentleman stopped by on his way to Florida, but at the time, we were sold out and working on the next batch,” Compton recalls. “He got back in his car, drove his family to Florida, then came back two hours later when the new batch was ready.”

According to Compton, many people come ready to wait in line for several hours. “One year, there was a lady who brought a chair, a packed lunch and got in line. The line would move, and she would move her chair along. Once she got to the front of the line hours later, we were sold out,” he says. “She just grabbed a book and continued sitting on her chair and reading until the next batch was ready.”

The 2023 World’s Largest Peanut Boil is during Labor Day weekend, when Shrine Club members and volunteers will cook up another 34 tons of boiled peanuts. While the days are long for those working at the peanut boil — starting as early as 4:30 a.m. and finishing by 11 p.m. — Compton says everyone still enjoys participating because of the sense of camaraderie and the opportunity to connect with old and new friends from all over the area.

For those folks who have never been to the peanut boil, Compton offers some valuable advice. “Do you like to wake up early?” he chuckles. “I say the best time to come is before daylight. We often have peanuts leftover from the night before, and you can be sure to get some.”

Get updates about this year’s peanut boil and learn more by following the event’s Facebook page, Crenshaw County Alcazar Shrine Club’s World’s Largest Peanut Boil. 

4 days

34 tons of peanuts

2 tons of salt

100+ volunteers

1,000+ customers

53-year-old tradition