the buzz log

Independence Day is the time to come together with kin and community, to admire the bravery of America's founders, and to eat like there is no tomorrow.

The economy may have dampened travel and pyrotechnic shows, but the hot dog-eating contest will go on. Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest (now that's a mouthful) is the crown jewel of Major League Eating. If you don't believe it's a $10-mil industry, read the Forbes article.

In case the sight of men and women gorging on meat tubes doesn't satisfy, organizers have made a circus show of out of this year's competition. Literally. Circus elephants Bunny, Susie, and Minnie will face off with human gurgitators Juliet Lee, Gravy Brown, and Patrick Bertoletti in what's being billed as the "First-Ever Cross-Species Eating competition." (Apparently, the organizers don't count the "Man vs. Beast" FOX special when a Kodiak bear crushed then-hot dog eating champ Takeru Kobayashi.)

The six-minute pachyderm appetizer event takes place July 3. In concession to elephants' dietary restrictions (they're herbivores), contestants will only be eating the buns. Animal rights activists feel nauseous over the elephantine event, and at least one "mindful eating" proponent's not thrilled about the human involvement either. 

But, as sure as illegal firecrackers on a neighborhood street, the Coney Island hot dog tradition will go on, with defending champ Joey Chestnut trying to hold his own against former six-time champ Kobayashi. ESPN will again air the gullet-guster at noon (ET) on July 4. Don't forget the mustard-flavored popcorn.