The Golden Peanut award is coming home to Lexington County, as Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon won the Third Annual SC State Fair Celebrity Boiled Peanut Eating Contest Wednesday evening on the Opening Day of the SC State Fair.

Sheriff Koon ate 45 boiled peanuts in a two-minute span to defeat the field of seven other competitors.

“The Lexington County Blowfish served up Lexington County peanuts and the trophy is coming home to Lexington County,” Sheriff Koon told the crowd immediately after being crowned champion.

ABC Columbia Weather & News Anchor Tyler Ryan finished second with 32 shells, while WIS-TV Sports Director Rick Henry came in third with 28.

Other contestants included Jonathon Rush (97.5 WCOS Host of The Morning Rush), WACH FOX 57 Multimedia Journalist & Reporter Jay Weaver, WLTX-TV News 19 Sports Anchor & Reporter Chandler Mack and Brian Sumner of HIS Radio 92.1 FM.

WIS-TV legend Joe Pinner (aka Mr. Knozit) and WACH FOX 57’s Dara Khaalid co-emceed the event, while SC State Fair General Manager Nancy Smith and Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott made sure all contestants followed the rules and regulations.

Here’s the whole contest on our Facebook page Blowfish Baseball- Click Here:  FACEBOOK LIVE

Click here to read the article written by Thomas Grant for the Lexington County Chronicle.

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