The 'Last Wiener': NYC Fans Wait Hours To See Champ Guzzle 62 Hot Dogs

CONEY ISLAND, NY — Time stood still at Coney Island Tuesday afternoon as a hopeful crowd waited to see if NYPD officials would reverse their decision to cancel the beloved July Fourth hot dog eating competition early.

By 12:15 p.m., all hope seemed to be lost.

Inside a nearby building, the competitive eaters stayed warm downstairs. Hundreds of hot dogs sat waiting under a plastic tarp.

“Joey, Joey” the crowd chants outside, dripping wet.

The crowd was thousands strong under a hot summer sun Tuesday morning for the woman's heat of the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

And about 2 p.m., two hours after the contest had been officially called off, a raucous and drenched crowd finally got what they had all come for — to watch Joey Chestnut defend his Mustard Belt by eating 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

“How could we not [wait]?” said a soaking wet Doug Fountain, who was up against a barrier with his nephew on his first trip to the United States.

Nearby, Brandy Earl returned to her post at the barrier after finding refuge at a local bar. Earl, soon to become Brandy Davis, and her bridesmaids had traveled from across the country to see Chestnut defend his crown, a bucket list item she chose for her bachelorette party.

At 11:45 a.m., she stood at the barrier in a veil and hot dog sun glasses under a blaring 85 degree sun. At 2 p.m., she returned, wet but still cheerful after seeking refuge in a local bar.

“Last wiener forever," Earl said.

Among those waiting out the storm inside was Janis Clark, who took her referee duties very seriously. She traveled all the way from Kalamazoo, Michigan to referee the contest for the first time.

In the early afternoon sun, Clark stood face-to-face with the competitors, keeping count of their consumption. She returned after the rain with about 30 other volunteer referees to call Chestnuts victory.

“To be a part of something so American on America's birthday is just incredible," Clark said just before reigning woman’s champ Miki Sudo put down 39 1/2 dogs.

Tuesday's event proved dramatic for weather and competition. Three New York City locals did the city proud with their competitive appetites, including Crazy Legs Conti, who ate 15 hot dogs Tuesday. Conti's personal best is just over 25.

For the women, Julie Goldberg of Astoria ate four and a half hotdogs and Prudence DiBenedetto of Queens ate three and a half.