What's More American than a Hot Dog Eating Contest?

Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut

So who is it gonna be this year? You can bet my family will be watching. It has become a Fourth of July tradition at my house. I must confess though, I often turn away from the television in disgust. I simply can't imagine eating more than a couple of hot dogs in one sitting.

On July 4, 2007, America watched in awe as Joey Chestnut won the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Championship, beating six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi of Japan and brought the Mustard Yellow Belt back to American soil for the first time this century.

Each Fourth of July, a group of 21 competitors line up behind a 30-foot table at Nathan's flagship restaurant to begin the world hot dog eating championship. At 12 noon EST, crushed by fans and media, the competitors will begin the historic 10-minute contest.

The contest has been held since 1916, the year Nathan's opened on Surf Avenue. It's only been canceled two times - once in 1941 (as a protest to the war in Europe) and again in 1971 (as a protest to civil unrest and the reign of free love).The two foes, Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi, are among 21 competitors in Friday's showdown, including a pizza cook from New York City, a fishmonger from Chicago and a 110-pound mother of two from Maryland.

Tune into ESPN, July 4th, at 12 noon EST, to catch all the action.

Old Glory is flying outside our house, honoring all who died to give us the many freedoms we enjoy today. I found a wonderful poem you may be interested in reading. It's called "I am the Flag" by Ruth Apperson Rous.

I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend celebrating our nation's Independence Day. I truly love America. As Yakov Smirnoff likes to say, "What a country!"

Related Article: Competitive Eating: Are Winners Born or Made?

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