Photos: Lexington County sheriff defends peanut eating crown at State Fair

A slight drizzle of rain didn’t hinder the Lexington County Blowfish’s 4th Annual Celebrity Boiled Peanut Eating Contest on Wednesday, Oct. 11. The competition took place on the Academic Avenue Stage during the first day of the South Carolina State Fair in Columbia. 

The contestants included Chronicle sports editor Elijah Campbell and reigning champion Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon, along with six other news and radio names from around the Midlands. With two minutes to eat as many peanuts as possible, Koon came out on top once again, downing 34 peanuts to beat second-place finisher Tyler Ryan of ABC Columbia by one legume to take home the Golden Peanut trophy once again.

WIS-TV’s Rick Henry, WLTX’s Chandler Mac, WACH FOX’s Brian McConchie, 97.5 WCOS’ Jonathon Rush and His Radio 92.1’s Joe Polek also competed. Blowfish fixture and local media legend Joe Pinner co-emceed the event alongside Dawndy Mercer Plank, with Richland County Sheriff (and past champion) Leon Lott and fair General Manager Nancy Smith serving as celebrity judges.