The idea of a boiled peanut eating contest to kick off the South Carolina State Fair was appealing to the fair's General Manager Nancy Smith.

Suggested six years ago by Lexington County Blowfish co-owner Bill Shanahan, Smith could envision how such an event would match up with the agricultural theme symbolized by this fall staple of the Palmetto State.

Watching prominent local media personalities compete to devour the most homegrown boiled peanuts in a short amount of time has also helped attract more fan interest each year. “It’s a good thing,” Smith said. "It fits right in with what we do with fairs and family and good fun, and we’ve seen it grow.”

In testament to this, South Carolina State Fair attendees filled the seats around the Academic Avenue stage at the fairgrounds on Wednesda

See Full Page