A Doggone Good Time
Inside Nathan’s National Hot Dog Eating Contest
This Fourth of July, no hot dog is safe. In fact, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans will consume as many as 155 million frankfurters on the holiday alone! But hey, you’re eating one, two, maybe three hot dogs tops, right? That’s small-time, kid. If you’re looking to tangle with the big dogs, take a trip to Coney Island and check out the world-famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Each year, on the anniversary of America’s fateful inception, the world’s greatest eaters warm up their chompers on the biggest stage in competitive consumption. Then, in front of a cheering horde of Major League Eating fans, they feast. But as I’m sure you’re aware, this ain’t your dad’s barbecue. The clock runs for 10 minutes, and whoever devours the greatest number of doggies — buns and all — is crowned top dog. These competitors chow down at a pace unfathomable to us mere mortals. Chew on this for a second: Last year’s champion, Joey Chestnut, dispatched a whopping 70 dogs. That’s seven a minute, folks — more than one every 10 seconds.
display of American avarice. But regardless of which side of the bun you land on, you have to agree: Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is a marvel of contemporary marketing. According to Wayne Norbitz, president and CEO of Nathan’s Famous, the contest got its start as just another Coney Island sideshow, the brainchild of PR guru Max Rosey. “We waited for a couple of fat guys to walk by,” Norbitz says of the fateful 1977 day of the first Nathan’s contest. “We asked if they wanted to eat hot dogs in a contest …We ran a quick little contest, and the whole object was to get a photo in the New York Post.” Since its humble beginnings, the competition has exploded, airing yearly on ESPN, with fiery rivalries between now-famous competitors like Takeru Kobayashi, Matt “Megatoad” Stonie, and aforementioned reigning champ, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut.
This Independence Day, whether you’re in the crowd at Coney Island, watching in awe as 20 adults inhale absurd quantities of film-wrapped mystery meats, or at the park, quizzically guessing at the chemical makeup of a half-eaten frankfurter on a picnic table, take a moment to thank the humble hot dog. It may be the most American meal you eat all year. ARE YOU PREPARED?
To some, the competition is a marvelous munching media blowout. To others, it’s a truly grotesque
Hurricane Season Means You Need Supplies and a Plan
We get beautiful weather, sandy beaches, and warm temperatures year-round, but the price we pay for that is the risk of being hit by a tropical storm. It’s doubtful that you’re going to go out and build a storm bunker, but you can still be prepared for the worst. This month, examine your disaster preparedness kit and evacuation plan. Your disaster supplies should include three days of food, along with one gallon of water per person per day. You’ll also want multiple flashlights, a hand- crank or battery-operated radio, an NOAA weather radio, and extra batteries for everything. Do not rely on internet-connected devices like cellphones for information or help. You’ll need garbage bags, zip ties, toilet paper, and towelettes for sanitation purposes. You’ll also require plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place at home. Finally, a first-aid kit is an absolute must, and don’t forget any prescription medications or other personal items. A disaster preparedness kit is a great start, but there are other actionable steps you can take to protect yourself. You’ll want to create a plan in case disaster strikes, keeping in mind that it’s better to evacuate sooner than later. Examine
your family’s situation and write down your breaking points. For example, “We will evacuate to my in-laws’ house in Moore Haven if the wind tops 75 mph” is a clear breaking point that you can easily follow.
Pay attention to federal and local emergency channels. Don’t wait for something to happen before you stock up; panicked conditions at a grocery store can be just as dangerous as any storm. And if you’re told to evacuate, do so. When your house collapses, damage to your property will happen regardless of whether or not your family is inside it.
Be safe, be prepared, and enjoy summer.
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