Naperville Ribfest To Host Nathan's Famous Hot Dog-Eating Final Qualifier: July 1

NAPERVILLE, IL – Naperville’s Ribfest 2017 will host the last and final qualifying round for Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Contest July 1 at 3 p.m at the South Stage.

Top male and female eaters in the Naperville contest will qualify for a seat at the table at Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest which takes place just three days later at the international event in Coney Island, New York on July 4.

Nathan's Famous has already held 10 qualifying events throughout the country, with 10 men and nine women headed to the Coney Island competition so far.

"Competing in Coney Island on July 4 is item number one on most people's bucket list," said George Shea, Major League Eating chairman, in a news release.

"Illinois is known for great eaters and we are confident that we will find a local athlete in Naperville who can represent the great state of Illinois on our nation's birthday," Shea said.

Men who have already qualified for the Coney Island event have consumed anywhere from 22 to 33 dogs. And the qualifying women have downed three to 29.

The current hot dog-eating champion is Joey Chestnut, of San Jose, Calif. He set a world record last year after eating 73 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Miki Sudo, of Las Vegas, became the 2016 female champion when she consumed 38 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.

And if hot dogs aren't enough, Ribfest will also host a corn-on-the-cob eating contest on the same stage. Champions will win a rib dinner.

Photos via Creative Commons