10,000 Fans Expected at Nathan's Famous on July 4

Anonymous sources close to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest say promoters are considering elevating the stage, perhaps by as much as three feet, to allow greater visibility for the crowd, which is expected to reach 10,000 this year.

Last year's crowd began assembling at 9:30 am for the 1 pm event, and by 1 pm nearly 9,000 fans were on hand, from Surf Avenue halfway to the Boardwalk. Weather will play an enormous part in crowd size this year, and if it rains considerably fewer fans will attend.