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Published Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in Close-Up

Hot dog eating contest returning to Newnan

From Special Reports

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Top-ranked eaters from Georgia and beyond will battle it out at an official Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at Junction Lanes Family Entertainment Center in Newnan May 14.

At stake is the title of Georgia 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.

Headlining the contest is Chicago’s Tim “Gravy” Brown, who secured his seat at last year’s July 4 table by eating 28 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in Newnan. “Super” Paul Barlow of Kennesaw, Ga., has vowed to defend Georgia’s honor by beating Gravy Brown and returning the Georgia hot dog title to a resident of Georgia.

“The fans in Newnan were none too pleased last year when Gravy, a bombastic Yankee from Illinois, swept in and won the only Georgia qualifier,” said Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating. “I think we’ll see a different event this year, with Atlanta area eaters doing whatever it takes to represent their home state in Coney Island on July Fourth.”

Super Paul will be joined by other local hopefuls including Steve “pi guy” Martin, a math teacher from Roopville, and Patrick Dogan, a promising rookie from Atlanta.

There’s also room for women to compete in Newnan.

Nathan’s Famous recently announced that the top finishing male and the top finishing female competitor in each regional qualifier will earn a chance to compete at the finals in Coney Island.

Female eating athletes will have a shot at their own Championship Belt in what will be the first-ever women’s-only contest set to occur just prior to the men’s contest, mid-day on July 4.

The Nathan’s Famous contest circuit will visit more than a dozen cities in 2011. Qualifying events will occur at Nathan’s Famous retail locations, water parks, NFL stadiums and Major League ballparks. As always, the champions from each qualifier will compete in the ESPN televised finals at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island on July Fourth.

“I’m thrilled that Nathan’s Famous has become such an integral part of America’s July Fourth celebration, and I look forward to welcoming the Male and Female Georgia Hot Dog Champions to Brooklyn this summer,” said Wayne Norbitz, President and COO of Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

Host cities of the 2011 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit include Las Vegas, NV, Boston, MA, Cleveland, OH, Tempe, AZ, New York, NY, Pittsburgh, PA, Los Angeles, CA, Charlotte, NC, Thackerville, OK and Poughkeepsie, NY. This year, Nathan’s will also hold qualifying events in Calgary, Canada and Beijing, China.

According to archives, the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, 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.

Nathan’s products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and five foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and retail licensing activities. The Nathan’s restaurant system currently consists of 268 units, comprised of 263 franchised or licensed units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit).

Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, 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. For more information, please visit www.ifoce.com .

Junction Lanes Family Entertainment Center is at 141 Newnan Station Drive. The May 14 eating event begins at 1 p.m.

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