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Nothing says “Happy Birthday America” like sitting on your couch watching people down 75 hot dogs in 10 minutes in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Our founding fathers would be so proud…
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. In a tradition unlike any other, our nation will celebrate its birthday with the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Like our country, the contest’s roots run deep. According to Nathan’s, legend has it that on July 4, 1916, four immigrants gathered at the very first Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand on Coney Island and made eating contest history. As the story goes, they were competing to see who was the most patriotic. The winner was determined with a hot dog eating contest. BUT OF COURSE
2. Let’s talk about what everyone is thinking about – vomiting. An eater who has "a Roman incident" or “reversal of fortune,” as it is so delightfully called, will be disqualified if the result of that incident touches the plate or table. After the contest is over, eaters can dispose of the food however they’d like, although some contests have a post-binge wait period. MAKE SURE NOT TO SIT IN THE SPLASH ZONE
3. This isn't college; the competitors don't show up just for the food. The winner out of the dog-downing competitors will take home $10,000. Want to bet on it? That can be done. You can also bet on if PETA will interrupt the contents or not or if there will be a “reversal of fortune.” One thing that’s a sure winner, Nathan’s will continue their annual tradition of donating 100,000 hot dogs to the Food Bank of New York. EATING FOR GOOD
4. After no fans last year (and an awkwardly quiet competition), the crowd might be just what 13-time champion Joey Chestnut needs to beat his record of 75 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. He is one of 18 men to compete for the belt. Chestnut also holds the record for the most hard-boiled eggs eaten in 10 minutes at 151. IRON STOMACH
5. Don’t worry, this sport isn’t only for the boys. Miki Sudo has won for seven straight years on the women's side, but she will not attend this year as she’s pregnant with her first child. So while the men’s competition is pretty much a lock for Joey Chestnutt, the women’s side is wide open for any of the 10 competitors to win. Only two women, Sudo and Sonya Thomas. have won the competition since it started in 2011. A NEW CHAMPION WILL EMERGE
You can catch the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at 11 am EST on July 4 on ESPN. The contest will occur amidst stifling humidity and a massive crowd at Maimonides Park, which is steps away from Nathan’s flagship store on Surf and Stillwell Avenues.
