Fall City resident Brandon Peterson, 23, won first place in the KMPS Country-Oke Contest held Saturday, April 10, at Snoqualmie Casino.

In the competition, 18 finalists were chosen as the best three performers from six consecutive Thursday night competitions held at the casino. Peterson’s first place prize was $2,500. Six other winners took their share of the remaining $2,500 in prize money.

Peterson was bitten by the entertainment bug as a pupil in musicals at Fall City Elementary School. At age 13, he began studying with and performing at the Village Theatre in Issaquah. Peterson is working towards a business administration degree. His family thanks friends who came to the contest to support him.