The 1st Annual Big Island Hot Dog Eating Contest
Official Rules & Regulations
General Information:
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Location: Hilo Town Market, Downtown Hilo (during the Friday Night Market)
Contest Start Time: 7:00 PM
Eligibility & Entry:
Age Requirement: All contestants must be at least 18 years old to participate.
Residency Requirement: Open to Hawai‘i residents only (contestants may reside on any island).
Application Process: Anyone interested in competing must submit an application to be considered for the contest. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on Friday, February 28, 2025. However, applying does not guarantee a spot in the contest.
Limited Contestants: The competition is capped at 20 participants, chosen through a vetting and selection process at the discretion of the event organizers.
Vetting & Selection Process: After applications close, event organizers will conduct a vetting process, including a brief phone or FaceTime interview, to select the final 20 contestants. Applicants chosen to move forward in the selection process will be contacted on Monday, March 3, 2025, with additional instructions.
Entry Fee: Only those selected as one of the 20 final contestants will be required to pay the non-refundable $100 entry fee to secure their spot in the competition. The entry fee must be paid by Friday, March 7, 2025.
Waiver & Entry Form: All selected contestants must complete an official entry form and sign a liability waiver before competing. These forms will be provided upon selection.
A link to complete a contestant application can be found below.
Competition Rules:
Each contestant will have 30 Natural Brown Regular Size Hot Dogs from Frank’s Foods and 30 Sweetbread Hot Dog Buns from Punalu‘u Bake Shop placed in front of them before the competition begins.
Hot dogs must be eaten with buns, and each hot dog and bun must be fully consumed to count toward the total.
The competition will be timed for 10 minutes.
Winner Determination:
The first contestant to fully consume all 30 hot dogs and buns within the 10-minute limit will be declared the winner.
If no contestant finishes all 30 hot dogs and buns, the winner will be the contestant who has consumed the most complete hot dogs and buns by the end of the time limit.
Contestants may complete their final bite after time is called as long as it is fully chewed and swallowed.
Judging:
A judge will verify and count each fully consumed hot dog and bun.
The judge’s ruling is final and non-negotiable.
Disqualifications:
Vomiting or regurgitation during or within a 5 minute period after the contest results in automatic disqualification.
Outside assistance (e.g., someone handing food to a contestant) is not permitted.
Any attempt to cheat, hide food, or not fully consume the hot dog and bun will result in immediate disqualification.
Prizes:
1st Place: $2,500
2nd Place: $300
3rd Place: $200
Additional Information:
All contestants must check in by 3:00 PM on March 21, 2025.
Contestants must bring a valid Hawai‘i Driver’s License or ID Card for verification.
Water will be provided, but no other food or beverages are allowed during the contest.
Contestants assume all risks associated with the competition and must sign a liability waiver before competing.
The event organizers reserve the right to modify or enforce rules as necessary for the safety and fairness of the competition.
Contestant Application can be found here:
https://jotform.com/form/250380692643156