Banana-eating contest highlights Latrobe's banana split celebration

Triblive TribLive Sat, Aug 24, 2024 • 07:52 PM

Leo Sun, of Latrobe, center, devours one banana after another, while Stephen Foss, of Latrobe, tries to get a drink of water in between bites, and Scott Steele, also from Latrobe, at right, peels another during the inaugural Great American Banana Challenge hosted by Dole Food Co. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. The event was part of the Great American Banana Split Celebration in downtown Latrobe. Sun was crowned the champion when he ate 11 bananas in 125 seconds, taking home the Dole Banana Challenge Belt.- Shane Dunlap | TribLive

Contestants got a heavy dose of potassium Saturday at the Dole Great American Banana Challenge in Latrobe.

In its inaugural year, the banana-eating contest pitted participants against the clock — they had 125 seconds to see who could peel and eat the most bananas to win the Dole Banana Challenge Belt. The winner ate 11 bananas.

The competition took place during the Great American Banana Split Celebration in Latrobe, which marks the 1904 creation of the famous dessert by local pharmacist David Strickler at Tassell Pharmacy.

The festival continues 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in downtown Latrobe with activities, performances, food and vendors. For a complete list of events, visit bananasplitfest.com.