It's gonna be a good weekend for CE!

I'll have the pleasure of emceeing back-to-back contests this weekend. And what a weekend it's going to be. A lot of eaters are "pulling doubles" with two contests in two days. A few (GJoe, Vacuum) are "pulling triples." GJoe & Mark are starting with Meatballs on Friday, then going separate ways for Saturday, and again meeting on Sunday. Mark's eating Meatballs, then Sausages, then Burgers.... that's the definition of Carnivore! GJoe's eating Meatballs, then Reubens, then Burgers.... I think that might be the definition of insanity.
"Furious" Pete Czerwinski and Tom "Goose" Gilbert will meet for the first time Friday in Meatballs, but they'll both be looking over their shoulder as GJoe methodically stalks them and Vacuum, who'll most definately take an early lead, tries to hold them off. Then in the rematch on Saturday at Reubens they'll have to contend not just with each other, but again with the crafty veteran.

Hickman's double will be interesting after a rare defeat to the newcomer, Furious Pete. He'll try to hold off a hard charging Vacuum on Saturday along with the unknown force known as Mih "So Hungry." He'll again be challenged on Sunday by the Vacuum, and Rubber Gut will also be trying to prove she's got what it takes in a shorter, 8 minute contest.

Even Joel "The Cannon" Podelsky will be pulling a double this weekend. He's headed to Ohio to do and event with David "Coondog" O'Karma on Saturday, then making the drive to Bowie on Sunday for Big Burgers.

All in all, 18 of the top 50 ranked AICE professional eaters will be participating in Competitive Eating events this weekend. (Chowhound and I will be M.C.'s) Justin Mih makes 19 I believe.

July 19, 2008
Italia Unita Festival - East Boston, MA
4th Annual Italian Sausage Eating Championship
http://www.italiaunita.org/

Confirmed Entrants:
#4 Ian "The Invader" Hickman
#5 Mark "The Human Vacuum" Lyle
# 14 "Tiny" Tim Rauscheder
# 16 "The Savage" Elliott Maruffi-Cowley
# 25 Carey "Powerhouse" Poehlman
NR Justin Mih "So Hungry"
NR Samantha Brown

That's right... there'll be a film crew there for "Passport to Great Weekends with Samantha Brown" from the Travel Channel. And, as of right now, she's planning to eat.

We're capping entry at 13 participants, so if there's any amateur eaters out there in the "Beantown" area, show up early the day of the contest. Eater check-in is at 5:00 PM and we're going to be eating at 6:00 PM.

Any other eaters who might be around, but not necessaryily interested in participating (you know what I mean) come out an have some fun. We'll be terrorizing the Boston scene well into the night I'm sure.

July 20, 2008
Prince George's Stadium - Bowie, MD
1st Ever Bowie Baysox 1/2 pound Angus Beef Burger Eating Competition
http://www.baysox.com/

Confirmed Entrants:
#2 "Gentleman" Joe Menchetti
#4 Ian "The Invader" Hickman
#5 Mark "The Human Vacuum" Lyle
#6 Elizabeth "Rubber Gut" Canady
#16 "The Savage" Elliott Maruffi-Cowley
#28 Joel "The Cannon" Podelsky
#32 James "Big Bess" Besser
#34 Tim "Obi-Wing-Kenobi" Cain
#38 "Sweet" Jill Stoler
#48 David "North Pole" Mitolo

That's right, Ladies & Gentlemen, including me as Emcee (#26), there will be 11 Competitive Eaters at the same contest!!!


It's going to be a great weekend.