How Many Hot Dogs Can You Eat? Smilin' Clyde Holds Contest at Oak Lawn Children Museum's Fall Fest

OAK LAWN, IL -- If you’ve always wanted to be a competitive eater, here’s your chance. Smilin’ Clyde’s Hot Dogs is looking for six contestants to participate in a hot dog eating contest. The contest kicks off at noon Sunday, Sept. 24, during the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn’s Fall Fest. Contestants must be 18 and over to participate. So if you’re going to Fall Fest with your dad or crazy Uncle Al, this contest might be right up their alley.

Each contestant will be given up to 15 hot dogs to eat as quickly as they can within four minutes. Contestants must wait to begin eating and may not touch any hot dogs prior prior to the starting signal. You can eat standing or sitting down, but you can’t leave your designated area. The entire hot dog and bun must be completely eaten before picking up the next hot dog. Water may also be consumed during the contest.

When the timer stops, contestants must stop eating and promptly place their hands on the table or at their sides. Contestants have 15 seconds to swallow any remaining hot dogs already in their mouths. And, if you regurgitate any time during the contest or within two minutes after the final bell, you’re automatically disqualified. You also have to sign a waiver. The good news is that you could win $100. The contest starts at noon Sunday; participants need to meet by the Smilin Clyde’s weenie wagon at 11:45 a.m. for preparations.

>>> Celebrate Autumn at the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn's Fall Fest

The contest is open to all adults over 18. Download the registration form and read the rules. Entry forms and signed waivers of liability are due before 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. For more information or to send in your registration form, contact Clyde at clyde@smilinclydes.com or 708-297-5026.

Clyde Anhalt, also known as “Smilin’ Clyde,” along with daughter, Sarah, have built a small hot dog empire at farmers markets, community events, youth sports competitions, weddings and other occasions that no one has thought up yet. Anhalt, a former baseball coach for Oak Lawn Community High School, grew up loving pushcart Chicago hot dogs, so in 2011, he bought a weenie wagon.

“I always wanted a hot dog business called Smilin’ Clyde Hot Dogs,” Anhalt said. “I love steamed hot dogs and people enjoy them. People have a lot of fun with them.”

Anhalt’s speciality, a gift he has passed down to daughter, Sarah, is the Chicago dog, which he calls a “salad on a bun.” Sarah, who was recently made a partner in the family hot dog business, said Smilin’ Clyde’s hopes to build two more weenie wagons to add to the fleet over the next year.

“I keep telling my daughter,” Sarah said, “when she turns 14 she’s going to work a wagon and put it away for college.”

In addition to the hot dog contest, Fall Fest features a cornucopia of fun family activities, including a scavenger hunt, crafts, games, professional pumpkin carving demonstrations, martial arts and more. The Children’s Museum will also be open after the fest for half-price admission.

The Children’s Museum is located at 5100 Museum Drive in Oak Lawn. Fall Fest goes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24.

PHOTO: The family that eats hot dogs together, stays together. Clyde Anhalt and his family of weenies. | Used with permission.

Smilin' Clyde's 2017 Hot Dog Eating Contest Application & Waiver by Bradley Jones on Scribd