A couple from the Poconos have lined up for Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest

Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Independence Day Hot Dog Eating Contest takes place Thursday, and Eastern Pennsylvania is well represented among those vying for the glittering glory.

The annual hot dog fight has been held since 1972. Large crowds of fans wearing foam hot dog hats gather outside the original Nathan’s Famous restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn, to cheer on the contestants as they eat. Contestants are allowed to dunk the hot dogs in cups of water to soften them, making for a stomach-churning spectacle.

The field has shifted this year as Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, the competition’s reigning champion, will not be taking part in Thursday’s event after signing a deal with a rival brand.

Instead, Chestnut will take his hot dog skills to a military base in Texas for American Independence Day. Chestnut, from Indiana, will compete in a 5-minute hot dog eating contest against soldiers at Fort Bliss in El Paso. In 2021, Chestnut set the current record of 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

With Chestnut out, those who have battled for second place in Brooklyn in the past may have new hope of earning the win this year.

Last year’s second place went to Geoffrey Esper of Oxford, Massachusetts, who killed 49 dogs, while Chestnut killed 62. Third place went to Australian James Webb with 47.

Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, holds the women’s record of 48.5 in 10 minutes. Miki won her ninth Nathan’s Famous title last year by eating 39.5 hot dogs and buns.

The participants come from 13 states and several countries.

A list of U.S. competitors released by the Associated Press includes two competitors from Monroe County and one from Chester County: male competitors George Chiger and Sean Yeager are from Pocono Pines and Phoenixville, respectively, as is female competitor Larell Marie Mele from Long Pond.

How can I watch the 4th of July hot dog eating contest?

If you can’t make it to Coney Island, ESPN will broadcast and stream the contest. Coverage of the women’s competition begins at 10:45 a.m. ET on ESPN3. The men’s competition will air at noon ET on ESPN2, with replays at 5 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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The Associated Press and Kurt Bresswein contributed to this report. You can reach him at [email protected].