Nathan’s Famous 2005 Schedule Announced!

The official contest schedule has been announced for the 2005 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest:

May 19 - New York, New York Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

May 21 - East Hartford, CT

May 28 - Independence Visitor Center, Philadelphia, PA

June 4 - Arizona Mills Mall, Tempe, AZ

June 11 - MacArthur Center Mall, Norfolk, VA

June 18 - Pembroke Lakes Mall, Pembroke Pines, FL

June 24 - Molly Pitcher Travel Plaza, Cranbury, NJ

June 25 - Long Island Ducks Stadium, Central Islip, NY

June 25 - Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

June 29 - Civil Service Contestants, South Street Seaport, NYC

July 2 - Shea Stadium, Queens, NY

July 4 – Coney Island Finals

In order to win a seat at the big show on July 4th in Coney Island, Brooklyn, competitors must win one of these qualifying events.

Registration for the qualifiers will begin in approximately two weeks on www.nathansfamous.com. Contestants are allowed to participate in up to three qualifying contests. Once a contestant has won a qualifier, they will not compete in any further qualifiers. This is an IFOCE event and IFOCE will handle registration with Nathan’s Famous. Participants must be 18 years or over.

An article on ESPN.com provides perspective on the Nathan's contest and the growing sport of competitive eating.