
Food, Family, Fireworks… and Food
Happy 249th Birthday, America. And happy Fourth of July, TOC Nation.
I hope you all have wonderful plans to celebrate another trip around the sun for the US of A.
We would like to hear if you have any special traditions for this holiday. Family BBQ? Camping? Cottage/lake house in northern Michigan? Beach day? Pool day? Partake in a Revolutionary War reenactment? Setting off an excessive amount of fireworks?
Of course, one of the most famous traditions this country has for the Fourth of July is the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. This year, Joey Chestnut is attempting to win the annual display of gluttony for his 17th time. He holds the record of ingesting 76 hot dogs (with buns) in a ten-minute span.
Here is a picture of Mr. Chestnut.

Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images
Probably not what you would have imagined. Just some skinny dude. No massive gut or anything.
So here is my question to you for this open thread, in addition to sharing your holiday traditions.
Any of you ever been in an eating contest? Any good stories ?
Oh, and one last movie reference for you .
Enjoy the holiday!