Celebrate Freedom with Pageants, Hot-Dog Eating Contests

Ready to kick off your Fourth of July festivities? How about some fun on the third?

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel will host its first annual Freedom Festival at The Shops At Wiregrass on Tuesday.

The free event run from 4 to 9 p.m. and will include activities for all ages and several fundraising contests.

Activities include a bicycle decorating contest, watermelon and hot-dog eating contests, shopping and dining specials, live entertainment, a band competition, Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker Pageant, and Grand Finale Fireworks at 9 p.m.

“Proceeds from the event will benefit Support the Troops and The Rotary Foundation,” Rotary Club president Ben Alexander said in a press release. “This is a perfect opportunity to bring the community of Wesley Chapel together and celebrate our patriotic spirit by giving back to the troops at the same time.”

All fundraising contests begin at 4:30 p.m.:

Little Miss and Mr. Firecracker Pageant: The pageant is open to boys and girls 3 months to 8 years old. Entry fee is $20.

One boy and one girl will be chosen from each age group as a semi-finalist and appointed as Firecracker Court Attendants. From those six Firecracker Court Attendants, one girl will be named Little Miss Firecracker 2012 and one boy will be named Little Mr. Firecracker 2012. All contestants will receive a goodie bag of prizes.

The four Firecracker Court Attendants (Semi-finalists/Runners-up) will receive a trophy and other prizes. Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker 2012 will each receive $100, a sash, a Tiara/Crown and trophy.

Winners will also lead the Fourth of July Bicycle Parade starting at 7 p.m.

Band Competition: Bands include JT Curtis and Nunes at Night. Guests will be able to vote for their favorite band for $1 per vote with the winning band receiving up to the total of what that band was able to raise.

Bicycle Decorating Contest: Entry fee $5.  Contest is open to children 3-11 years of age and will be divided into various age groups, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-11.  Four categories: Most Patriotic, Most Original, Most Silly, and MVP.

Hot Dog Eating Contest: Entry fee $10 Must be 18 or older to participate and space is limited. Participants will be judged on the amount of hot dogs they can eat within a designated time frame.

Watermelon Eating Contest: Entry fee $5. Open to all ages. Ages will be divided up into various age groups. Participants will be judged on the amount of watermelon that they can eat in a designated time frame.