Hot dog! The hot dog-eating contest is back for the Fourth of July celebration in Washington’s Festival Park.
Joining that contest are a patriotic-themed boat parade, a cornhole tournament, music by Spare Change and, of course, fireworks on the Washington waterfront. The fireworks are slated to start about 9:15 p.m.
The Washington Fourth of July celebration is an effort by the Washington Harbor District Alliance, City of Washington and Lee Chevrolet-Buick.
The boat parade takes place from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. July 4. Anytime during that period, boaters participating in the parade should navigate their boats through the regatta buoys moored beside the Belle of Washington and hail the judges aboard the Belle of Washington. Participating boaters should provide their names and telephone numbers to the judges, which enters them in the parade contest. Entries will be judged on patriotic theme, effort involved in decorating, spirit of the crew and originality.
First prize is $150, with second prize at $100 and third prize at $50.
The cornhole tournament, sponsored by Can U Toss, runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cornhole probably is best described as a competitive bean-bag toss with a scoring system, rules and game variations.
The hot dog-eating contest, to see who can eat 10 eastern North Carolina-style hot dogs in the fastest time, begins at 6 p.m. The contest is sponsored by Coldwell Banker Coastal Rivers Realty. The entry fee for the contest is $10 a person.
Shawn Regaglia, a Washington resident, won the contest last year.
Joy, a clown, will entertain from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Food and beverage vendors will be at the celebration.
For more information about the July 4 celebration and its events, visit www.whda.org or call 252-947-1487.