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Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest
Every
July 4, the eyes of the world focus on Coney Island, NY, for the Nathan's Famous
Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The
holiday event, which is open to the public and which is sanctioned by the International
Federation of Competitive eating, takes place at Nathan's Famous on the corner
of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney
Island, Brooklyn.
With an expected
audience of 50,000 every year, those seeking good viewing are
advised to arrive before 11 am. (For more information, call the
IFOCE at (212)
627-5766.)
The Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has
been held at Nathan's
Famous on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney
Island each year since 1916
At noon each
July 4th, a group of 20 steely-eyed individuals line up behind
a 40-foot table to begin the 12-minute contest. These competitors,
known in the sport of competitive eating as "gurgitators",
may not appear athletic to the untrained eye. However, they are
among the finest athletes - with the quickest jaws! - in the world.
Joey Chestnut,
Current World Hot Dog Eating Champ
Joey
Chestnut of San Jose, California, is the latest champion to
win the Nathans Famous Fourth of July International Hot
Dog Eating Contest, beating former champion Takeru Kobayashi and
setting a new world record in 2009 by downing 68 Nathans
Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. It was Chestnut's third
consecutive win in recent years.
Nothing
represents summer and the Fourth of July like the Nathans
Famous Hot Dog-Eating Contest, says Wayne Norbitz, president
and COO of Nathans Famous. This year our nation has
new hope for glory.
Vying
for the Belt The
bejeweled Coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt, worn only by the International
Champion, is to hot dog aficionados what Faberge Eggs were to Czar Nicholas. The
belt is of unknown age and value, and is unveiled only at the annual contest.
Registration
for the Nathan's Famous July 4th International Hot Dog Eating Contest is administered
by the International Federation of Competitive Eating. To sign up, participants
18 years and over can visit www.NathansFamous.com.
also
see -> July
4 Independence Day Events
Coney
Island Mermaid Parade
also
see in Beaches -> New
York City Beaches
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