CONCORD, N.C. -- The finest competitive eaters from North Carolina and beyond will battle it out at an official Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Qualifier at the Concord Mills Mall on Saturday.
The eating competition starts at 1:00p.m. Saturday June 18, at Concord Mills Mall in the food court.
At stake is the title of North Carolina Hot Dog Eating Champion and the chance to compete in the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY.
The top finishing male and the top finishing female competitor in Saturday’s 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest will earn a chance to compete in the separate men’s and women’s finals in Coney Island.
Micah “Wing Kong” Collins of Pennsylvania will enter as the men’s favorite, having downed 27 hot dogs and buns in a recent bout. He’s the one competitor who could stand between eating-veteran Crazy Legs Conti of New York City and his 10th consecutive appearance at the Coney Island table. Also eating for glory will be Brian Szontagh of Raleigh and Travis Wheeler of Columbia, SC.
Atlanta’s best-known female competitive eater, Grace Lee, who has eaten 30 slices of pizza and 60 chicken wings, will headline the women’s division. She’ll face Vanessa Lugo of Miami and Katie Fisher, also of Atlanta.
The Nathan’s Famous contest circuit will visit more than a dozen cities in 2011. The champions from each qualifier will compete in the ESPN televised finals at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island on July Fourth.
