I don't know when we started watching it.  I think it might have been within the last 5-6 years.  I don't think it was when we lived in Columbus because we were in Mexico for the only 4th of July that passed while we lived there.  Anyway - it comes on some ESPN channel - like ESPN Ocho (lol for those of you that have seen Dodgeball, that should be funny!) 

Every year we sit on the edge of the couch and we watch in awe and amazement as these people shove hot dogs (bun and weiner!) into their mouths for 10 minutes.  Every contestant has their own individual technique but the one thing that you see the most - they shove the weines in their mouth 4 at a time.  And then you see them dip the buns in a cup of water and then they start shoving the buns in their mouths.  It's gross.  When they are doing the introductions for the compeititors they alway say what competitive eating compeitions they have one - and some are downright nasty - sushi, asparagus, jalapenos, oysters, etc. 

The contestants, the good ones anyway, are very thin and petite yet somehow they managed to shove 58 hotdogs into their mouths.  Watching the compeition makes me not want to eat a hotdog for a year.

So straight up at noon, these people stand behind tables in front of THOUSANDS of people (plus all of the tv viewers) and when the big clock starts ticking down - they start inhaling hot dogs.  For 10 minutes they inhale hotdogs and it's totally and completely disgusting.  Just when you think you can't stomach 10 more seconds, it's over.  But this year - there was a tie.  Kobayashi and some guy named Chestnut (that won last year) have tied.  You may be asking yourself, how to do you settle a hot dog eating competion that ends in a tie?  With a 5 dog dog off of couse.  That's right - the first guy to shove down an additional 5 hotdogs wins.  The 2 guys look disgusted that they have to eat five more hot dogs.  They really look like they just want to go throw up.  Two plates, with 5 hot dogs each, is set in front of each contestant and the hot dog inhaling recommences.  It doesn't take long before the winner is crowned (Chestnut.)

You may also be wondering what does the nathan's hot dog eating champion win - a Year's Supply of Nathan's hot dogs!!!  GROSSSSS.  This guy that ate more hot dogs than i eat in 5 years just won a years supply of hot dogs.  I guess it will help him practice.

This is truely a spectacle that you have to see to believe.