It was a tie at this year's Hot Dog Eating Contest

David Himmel, left and Evan Martinez tied at Sunday's Hot Dog Eating Contest put on by CocoWalk, during the yearly Fourth of July tradition. Both ate 10 hot dogs at the end of the 10 minute time limit. They were offered an "eat off" to break the tie, but both had had enough and they agreed to share the $1000 in prizes.


Dennis Marchant, last year's winner, at far right, tried to keep his title this year, but he fell short. The hot dogs were supplied by the Paragon Grove 13 movie theater this year and they were much plumper and larger than last year's dogs, so the count of 10 for this year's winners vs. 13 for Dennis' win last year, made some sense.


The crowd assumed that David and Dennis were the frontrunners all through the contest, but many saw Evan at the far left just doing his thing methodically, not making much of a scene, just eating and eating and in the end it worked out for him.


Only six were in the contest, although 14 entered, but many seemed to be no shows on the day of the event.


Finally, little by little some gave up and when the bell rang after 10 minutes, the real winners, David and Evan were revealed. The Hooters girls kept count, each had a contestant to monitor and to hand hot dogs to and water. That's Naomi Evans, Marketing Director of CocoWalk, who coordinates the contest each year.


The spectators loved it. It's a fun tradition that will be back next year. Takeru Kobayashi was banned from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest this year, he was actually arrested for trying to enter. Maybe we can invite him to the Grove's contest next year. He usually eats about 56 so, here he can eat 11 and win. Also, maybe Pepto Bismol can be the sponsor next year.