BBQs and fireworks are great, but for us the most thrilling part of the Fourth of July has always been the gluttonous spectacle that is the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island.
If you’ve ever watched grown men down 60 hot dogs in 10 minutes at this annual New York freakshow and thought “I wish this could be weirder,” this year you’re in luck. The 2009 contest will be preceded on July 3 by a hot dog bun eating contest, in which three professional eaters will take on three semi-professional eaters: elephants from the Ringling Brothers Circus. ]]>
The rumors have been flying since last season, but this year it seems that the stories are true. Astroland, the theme park of New York City, closed down over the weekend. The New York Times reports that the park owners just couldn't get things worked out with the group that was funding the park this year.
The Albert family, owner of the park, sold the land to Thor Equities in 2006 for about $30 million, so this has all really just been a matter of time.]]>
Thousands of New Yorkers and visitors have flooded Coney Island this summer to get one last fix of the freakish festival, before many of the old-school attractions are knocked down to make way for newer, shinier rides next year. (Or maybe not, they can't seem to make up their minds about this thing.)
But one new Coney Island venue is already here, and we can say that this newcomer is definitely in the cheesy, lo-fi tradition that made Coney Island famous.]]>