Jun 29, 2024 By Paul Paterra 3 min read

Move over, Nathan’s, there’s a new hot dog eating contest coming to town – Guntown, that is.

Canonsburg’s Fourth of July celebration will kick off a little earlier this year, with the borough’s first Hot Dog Festival planned for the evening before the parade, one of the state’s largest.

The festival, sponsored by Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop and New Castle-based hot dog restaurant MP Coney Island, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Midtown Lot.

“At Grandpa Joe’s, we take great pride in being part of the Canonsburg community,” said Christopher J. Beers, founder and CEO of Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop. “Hosting the Canonsburg Hot Dog Festival is our way of bringing people together and shining a spotlight on the wonderful businesses and individuals that make Canonsburg the vibrant town that it is. We are thrilled to co-host this event with MP Coney island, and we look forward to creating great memories for everyone who attends.”

MP Coney Island, a 100-year-old hot dog business in New Castle, is one of five tenants planned for the Midtown Market redevelopment project at 48 W. Pike St. Construction is scheduled to begin in September with a grand opening targeted for March 2025.

“This is kind of a coming-to-town-soon break-out party,” said Andrew Andronas, whose AJA Co. is the redeveloper of the Midtown Market. “Bringing MP Coney Island to town, we certainly wanted to make a splash. Fourth of July in Canonsburg is a huge deal, getting statewide recognition. We thought it would be excellent to kick off the celebration. Canonsburg folks and Canonsburg business coming together to kick off July 4 festivities.”

The festival will include live music from the J Craiger Band, children’s activities, food, wine and beer, and specials from participating businesses.

However, the highlight of the evening might just be the two hot dog eating contests, a Fourth of July tradition made popular by the famous Nathan’s event held every year at New York’s Coney Island, N.Y.

While Mustard Belt holder Joey Chestnut won’t be among the competitive eaters in Canonsburg, an all-star lineup of local celebrities will attempt to eat the most chili dogs in a contest set to begin at 7 p.m. They include Washington County Judge Brandon Newman; Brittany Taylor, principal of Canon-McMillan High School; Mike Hull, former Canon-Mac football star and linebacker with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins; a representative of the Canonsburg fire department, and perhaps a member of the borough’s police department. The contest is sponsored by MP Coney Island.

There will also be a gummy candy hot dog eating contest at 6:30 p.m., sponsored by Grandpa Joe’s. That contest is open to adults and kids alike. Interested folks can sign up at Grandpa Joes’ to enter.

“It should be great for the town,” Andronas said. “We’re all about promoting our businesses here, new and existing. Fourth of July in Canonsburg is as good as it gets. We’re hoping we can do this every single year. We’re hoping it turns into something great.”