Jul 5, 2009 7:42 am US/Eastern
On Coney Island, Beaches & Hot Dogs Dominate 4th
Revelers Watch Record-Breaking Hot Dog Competition, Enjoy Beautiful Beach Weather
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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For nearly a decade, New York City's fireworks display has been synonymous with the East River on the Fourth of July, but this year the Hudson River plays host. (File)
CBS
Thousands of people spent the holiday relaxing and enjoying the nice weather. On Coney Island, it all went to the dogs.
In the dog-eat-dog world of competitive eating, there can only be one top dog.
This Fourth of July, no one could "ketchup" to the Mustard Belt man himself, Joey Chestnut, who relished a chance to gobble down 68 wieners in ten minutes. He beat out rival Takeru Kobayashi to retain his title in the IFOCE Nathan's International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest, winning for the third consecutive year.
Thousands who flocked to Coney Island for Independence Day enjoyed America's favorite pastimes while celebrating the country's 233rd birthday.
"This is Independence Day, and that's when people get together," Brooklyn resident Nadine Martellier said. "That's what we are doing – just getting together and having fun."
"[I've] got the hat, got the glasses, got the shirt," Brooklyn resident Christian Stevens said.
Stevens spent the last four years in London, which makes this year's Independence Day that much sweeter.
"It's a great day – you're proud to be American today," he said. "All the political stuff that goes on in this country aside – today we're all proud to be Americans."
The celebration was just beginning for many who said they had bigger plans for Saturday night.
"After this, I'm going straight over to watch the fireworks!" Brooklyn resident Carol Ruiz said.
It's all part of a full day of festivities to honor America.
One final note about the annual hot dog eating competition: the 68 wieners that Chestnut consumed in victory represents a new world record. When the event was first held, in 1916, the winner ate just 13 hot dogs.
CBS 2's Kathryn Brown contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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