Seventeen ready, more expected for bayside bar's eating contest

Competitors in Fish Tales' inaugural July 4 hot dog eating contest race the clock — and each other — for top prize in the 2008 event. Ken Federighi, third from left, devoured 16.5 franks and buns to earn $1,000 and a trophy. He has qualified for this year's event. (July 3, 2009) Throughout May and June, Fish Tales Bar & Grill in Ocean City embarked on a quest to find the 20 fastest hot dog eaters in the area.

Those quickest downers of hot dogs have advanced to the finals of the 22nd Street bayside bar & grill's second annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, which will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. Fish Tales, Coors Light and Dietz & Watson are sponsoring the event. Dietz & Watson will supply the hot dogs.

Brandon Hemp, coordinator of the gorgefest at Fish Tales, said Monday that 17 qualified so far and he expected more people to make the final cut this week. The cost is $5 to take part in the qualifier, which can be done up until Saturday.

Many of those who advanced to the finals are locals, but there are several from out of town who hope to win Fish Tales' July 4 event. Hemp said preliminary times varied from 53 seconds to just over six minutes. Not everyone who took the challenge could finish all five franks.

"There's some competitiveness going on this year," Hemp said. "But obviously, it's a marathon, not a sprint."

Hemp said earlier this week that competitive eater Joel "The Cannon" Podelsky was scheduled to attempt to qualify for the finals today (Friday).

Ocean City's Ken "Mongo" Federighi — a member of the International Federation of Competitive Eating — has gained a name for himself as the man to beat when settling in to an eating contest locally and around the country. He scarfed down the five dogs in 53 seconds, posting the fastest time thus far.

In the past 11 years, Federighi has participated in hot dog, wing, burger, taco, chili cheese fries, corned beef and cabbage, meatball and crab cake eating contests on the East and West coasts.

Federighi has described it as "a hobby that got a little out of hand."

Fourteen competed in Fish Tales' inaugural contest last year, which Federighi won by devouring 16 and a half franks and buns in 12 minutes. He received $1,000 and a trophy.

"Last year went great," Hemp said. "It was a good time and a lot of people showed up to watch. We're hoping for an even bigger turnout this year. We want to continue to do it every year."

This year's event will be 10 minutes instead of 12 like in 2008. Participants will race against the clock and each other to walk away with a $1,000 firstplace prize. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the second- and thirdplace finishers.

For more information, call 410-289- 0990.