PELION, S.C. — Saturday was the town of Pelion's annual Peanut Party, which was all about those southern boiled peanuts!
Organizers said the event has grown, with 5,000 to 10,000 people attending.
There were cowboy hat vendors, rides, live music, food trucks, and, of course, the star of the show: boiled peanuts.
Organizers said all the money will go to fund the festival again next year and to provide tradesman and academic scholarships to local students who apply.
"We give a tradesman scholarship and an academic," Peanut Party Chair Amy McDonald said. "Our tradesman scholarship goes to a child that is either in the trade school at Lexington Technology Center or is recommended by one of the teachers at the high school, at Pelion High School. They get a $500 trade scholarship to buy tools, uniforms, boots, whatever they need to go into a trade, and then our academic goes to whatever college they prefer."
"We look into community involvement. Did they come and help with the festival? Have they done other events in the community? Because we are such a close-knit little town, so we try to look for a kid that has that home town feel," McDonald said.
Some attendees described the event as one big family reunion.
"So I married in 1986, and my husband and I went shortly thereafter, so I’m not sure when it started. And the first time we went, we had heard about it," Sherry Sauls said. "We showed up, and I literally think I was in somebody’s backyard. It was like a family reunion, ya know what I mean? So, it’s been all these years later. So, today, we’re looking for something fun to do. I’m like, 'Mom, let’s go check this out.' And I love boiled peanuts, so why not."
They had a fireworks show at 7:30 p.m. and live music at 8 p.m., and the night wrapped up at 10 p.m.
