NATHAN’S FAMOUS HOT DOG-EATING CONTEST VISITS DES MOINES FOR 2020 QUALIFYING CIRCUIT

August 10th Contest Qualifies Local Hot Dog-Eating Champ for July 4th Championship in Coney Island

JERICHO, NY - (DATE) - Nathan’s Famous will host a qualifier in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, August 10, 2019, seeking champions for its 2020 Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest. The competition, presented by Hy-Vee, will take place at 1 P.M. at the Susan Knapp Amphitheatre, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds—E University Ave & E 30th St., Des Moines, IA 50317.

The top male and female finishers in the event will qualify for a seat at the 2020 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest to be held in Coney Island, Brooklyn, on July 4, 2020, where they will face reigning champions Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo.

“The launch of the Nathan’s Famous hot dog-eating contest circuit means that we again are on our way toward the most exciting day of the year: July 4th,” said Phil McCann, Senior Director of Marketing of Nathan’s Famous. “The Des Moines qualifier will allow us to identify new talent to represent our nation on the most patriotic day of the year.”

“The Nathan’s hot dog-eating contest is a holiday celebration that is recognized across the globe,” said Major League Eating Chair George Shea. “There is no greater honor on July 4th than competing against the greatest eaters in the world on the big stage in Coney Island.”

Joey Chestnut of San Jose, CA, will defend his title as 12-time male champion, having consumed 71 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in 2019. Chestnut’s all-time best is 74 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, set in 2018. Miki Sudo of Tucson, AZ, will defend her title as six-time female champion, having consumed 31 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in 2019. Sudo’s all-time best is 41 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, set in 2017.

In recent years, an estimated 35,000 fans have traveled to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island to watch the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in person. The live telecast of the event has consistently attracted millions of viewers since ESPN first aired the contest in 2004.

According to legend, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, N.Y., since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the beloved restaurant. MLE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, 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.

Those interested in competing in the Des Moines qualifier should visit www.majorleagueeating.com to obtain information and register. All competitors must be over 18 years of age.