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Now in its 49^th year, the annual “World’s Largest Peanut Boil” is again in full swing in Crenshaw County.

The event is a benefit for the Alcazar Shrine Club of Crenshaw County and has become a “community event and an institution,” according to Shriner Andy Compton.

“The community makes it happen,” Compton said. “We’re a family out here, and we really appreciate the volunteers and the community support.”

This year, the Luverne High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Future Farmers of America (FFA) are working alongside the Shriners, Shrine Club family members and other community volunteers to help make the peanut boil a possibility.

FBLA Director Mandy Horn said that the organization has been volunteering at the peanut boil for five years.

“We do morning and afternoon shifts with about 12 kids per shift,” she said. “We bag and tape the peanuts, and it’s just a great volunteer opportunity for a great cause.”

FFA director Matthew Pippin echoed Horn.

“It is a great volunteer opportunity, and it gives the FFA members the chance to work with an agricultural product,” he said.

The FFA members are mostly involved with unloading and distributing the pre-boiled peanuts.

Shrine Club members do most of the boiling, while family members and other volunteers help run the front desk and T-shirt stand, bag and tape the peanuts and other activities.

This year, the Shrine Club decided to go up by one ton to a total of 32 tons of boiled peanuts.

The event began on Wednesday, Aug. 28, and continues throughout Labor Day weekend as long as the supply of peanuts does.

Compton said the Shriners that are able often arrive as early as 4 a.m. and don’t leave until 11 p.m., while volunteers come and go throughout the day.

Be sure to check the Crenshaw County Alcazar Shrine Club’s World Largest Peanut Boil Facebook page for information on when fresh batches of peanuts are available and the status of supplies.