IFOCE Announces 84 Lumber World Baked Bean Eating Championship Circuit

The 84 Lumber Company and the IFOCE have announced the kickoff of the 84 Lumber World Baked Bean Eating Championship.

The six-contest circuit is expected to draw the top names in competitive eating, in a bid to establish who can eat 84 ounces of baked beans the fastest. There will be $2,000.00 in prize money on the line at each contest, broken down as follows: $1,000.00 for first place; $750.00 for second place; $250.00 for third place. The gurgitator with the fastest time at the circuit’s conclusion will receive the ultra prestigious crown of World Baked Bean Eating Champion.

Sonya Thomas shocked the competitive eating community on August 7, 2004 when she devoured an even greater amount of baked beans- 8.4 lbs- in a staggering two minutes and 47 seconds at the 84 Lumber reopening in Centerville, IN.

Dates and locations for four of the six events are as follows:

October 16, 2004 Summerville, SC (Outside Charleston, SC)

October 23, 2004 Dawsonville, GA (Outside Atlanta, GA)

October 23, 2004 Deland, FL (Outside Orlando, FL)

October 30, 2004 Stafford, TX (Outside Houston, TX)

The dates and locations of two more events are TBD.

These contests are official Harvest Series events, and the winner of each one will earn a spot in the world famous Thanksgiving Invitational.

The IFOCE is handling registration. There are spots available for each contest, and interested competitors 18 years of age or older should call 212.627.5766 or email beans@ifoce.com to sign up.

Founded by Joe Hardy in 1956 in the town of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, where the original store continues to operate, 84 Lumber Company is the largest privately held building materials supplier in the country. Today 84 Lumber Company operates more than 470 stores and 14 component manufacturing plants from coast to coast. With more than 7,500 associates nationwide 84 Lumber Company provides professional contractors, remodelers and serious do-it-yourselfers with quality building materials, supplies and expertise. For more information on 84 Lumber Company please visit: www.84lumber.com.

The IFOCE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 70 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY and Krystal Square Off in Chattanooga, TN. The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 3,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles and the glamour that they provide.