America's Biggest Eaters Meet in Showdown at Nathan's Hot Dog Contest

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - A Fourth of July tradition continues: who can eat the most hot dogs and buns in ten minutes?

That question will be answered at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York.

This year's event is filled with all the drama and excitement of a world-class fight:
• Joey Chestnut is going for his fourth consecutive title.
• Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti is trying to get to the top.
• Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas seeks to remain the top woman.
• Bob "Notorious B.O.B." Shoudt is looking to eat his age in hot dogs and buns.
• What surpise does "Eater X" Tim Janus has in store for the crowd.

And will Takeru Kobayashi, who is is in a contract dispute with Major League Eating , compete in the event?

The greatest competitive eaters on earth will gather on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island at noon on Sunday, July 4, to compete in the hot dog eating contest. The event that has been held each year since 1916, according to archives.

Last year, Chestnut – the number-one-ranked eater in the world – defeated a field of 18 other eaters from around the world in front of a crowd of 35,000 fans by consuming 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.

The contest is free and open to the public.