ROCHESTER — Competitive eaters better get ready — Nathan’s Famous, Inc. has selected Rochester as one of the cities to host contests for the 2015 Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.
On June 27, local hot dog lovers will be able to compete for their chance to qualify for final competition, taking place taking place July 4 at Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn, N.Y. To register, visit www.nathansfamous.com.
Nathan’s Famous unveiled the official list of competition sites Wednesday. According to company officials, the circuit of qualifying contests began in Plant City, Fla. on March 1 and will continue at 11 other cities before the final July 4 competition.
The top male and top female finishers from each qualifier contest will earn a spot to compete in the ESPN-televised finals at the original Nathan’s Famous site, a holiday tradition since 1916. In recent years, an estimated 40,000 fans have traveled to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues on Coney Island to watch the contest. The live telecast has consistently attracted millions of viewers since ESPN first aired the contest in 2004.
Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., who holds the world record for eating 69 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, will seek his ninth straight title this year. Miki Sudo of Las Vegas, Nev., won her first title last year, consuming 34 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Sudo will defend her title in this year’s championship and seek a second win.
In Rochester, the contest will take place at the Phantom BBQ and Music Festival on June 27, at the Rochester Fairgrounds. The festival itself is taking place June 26 through June 28.
This year, Nathan’s Famous flagship is celebrating its 99th year, according to company officials.
“The launch of the annual hot dog-eating contest circuit signals the impending arrival of summer,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous. “As we celebrate our 99th year, Nathan’s Famous is proud to be part of the American summer and all the enjoyment that it brings.”
Other host cities of the 2015 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit include Atlanta, Ga.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Houston, Texas; St. Louis, Mo.; Charlotte, N.C.; Pocono, Pa.; Nashville, Tenn.; New York, N.Y.; Cleveland, Ohio; and Sonoma, Calif.
Nathan’s Famous company officials said that according to archives, the Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4 on Coney Island, N.Y. since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event, according to company officials.
Anyone interested in competing in a Nathan’s Famous qualifier should visit to obtain information and register through www.nathansfamous.com. All competitors must be over 18 years of age.
Leave a Reply