Route 66 celebration to feature a hot dog eating competition
· Yahoo Sports
Competitive eaters from across North America are set to gather in Springfield, for the inaugural Cozy Dog Eating World Championship during the Mother Road Festival on Sept. 26.
The event, scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Isringhausen Stage in downtown Springfield, is part of the festival's celebration of 100 years of Route 66, according to a community announcement.
Visit michezonews.co.za for more information.
The contest is sanctioned by Major League Eating and will feature some of the organization's top-ranked competitors as they attempt to establish a new Cozy Dog consumption record.
Among those expected to compete are Pat Bertoletti of Chicago, identified in the announcement as the world's No. 2-ranked competitive eater and a former Hot Dog Eating Champion; Darrien Thomas of Canada; Jerome Burns of Danbury, Connecticut; and Matthew Raible of Edwards, Illinois.
"We are excited to add an official Major League Eating contest to the mix of classic cars, classic music and uniquely American fun that has defined the Mother Road Festival for 25 years," festival organizer Greg "Coop" Cooper said in the announcement. "None of this would be possible without the generosity of Reisch Charities and the partnership of Cozy Dogs. Let's get out there and set a world record!"
Cozy Drive In, a Springfield business along Route 66, has served its signature Cozy Dog since 1946. The snack consists of a hot dog dipped in batter and deep-fried using the original recipe developed by Ed Waldmire.d
Competitors will have 10 minutes to set a record
Contestants will have 10 minutes to eat as many Cozy Dogs as possible while competing for a share of a $5,000 prize purse and a place in the Major League Eating record books.
Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating, said that the organization is eager to bring the event to Springfield.
"There's no place more emblematic of America's free spirit than Route 66, and MLE is thrilled to be visiting the one and only Mother Road Festival in the one and only Springfield," Shea said in the announcement. "We look forward to making history in the home town of Abraham Lincoln."
Event backed by Reisch Charities
The championship is being presented by Reisch Charities, a nonprofit organization that brews Reisch Beer using its historic recipe. According to the announcement, the contest will create a new world record category recognized by Major League Eating.
Registration for the competition has reached capacity and is closed.
More information is available on the Major League Eating website at majorleagueeating.com/contests/1048. Updates are also available on Instagram at @eatingcontest and on Facebook at @Route66Fest.
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This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Route 66 celebration to feature a hot dog eating competition