Hot Dog Days are informal events that are celebrated in communities throughout the hotdog-eating world, including the USA, Canada, Great Britain and Australia. Their origin is obscure. As the name suggests the festivals revolve around eating hot dogs, but usually there are many other activities such as wiener dog races, root beer chugging contests and face painting. Often the proceeds from a hot dog day are given to charity. Industry groups, such as National Hot Dog & Sausage Council in the USA, which designates July as National Hot Dog Month and July 23 as National Hot Dog Day, encourage, sponsor, and support the events. The council also gives advice on hot-dog eating etiquette,[3] which aren't considered strict, as most Hot Dog Day style events do not adhere to them. One of the most notable is the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Brooklyn, New York.
Hot Dog Day is celebrated in the spring in the village of Alfred, New York. It has been celebrated since 1972, when students first proposed it. The event is focused on the hot dog, a food popular among college students for its cheapness and ease of preparation. Hot Dog Day itself is usually the third Saturday in April, although many students celebrate the entire "hot dog week", running from that Wednesday to that Sunday. Hot Dog Day, which is organized primarily by students from Alfred University, and Alfred State College, raises money for local charities and community organizations such as, Alfred fire department and Alfred Montessori school.
Events typically include a parade, ice cream social, "fun run", mud Olympics, hot dog eating contests, carnival and live music. Main Street, which is closed to traffic, hosts most of these activities along with food choices such as a chicken barbecue and numerous hot dog stands. Hot Dog Day is often the time chosen for alumni reunions for Alfred's two colleges. The Annual Hot Dog Lunch in Washington, D.C is one of the most popular social events on Capitol Hill. Sponsored by the American Meat Institute for the past 40 years, more than 1,000 members of Congress, Administration officials, journalists and lobbyists gather in a courtyard for a huge hot dog picnic. At the lunch, hot dog companies serve their franks from traditional hot dog carts.
