“Winn Main Street” is excited to present the Inaugural Uncle Earl’s Hot Dog Trials on Saturday, March 15. It will serve as a Kick-off event for the annual Uncle Earl’s Hog Dog Trials which takes place the following week, Monday, March 17 through Sunday, March 23. 

Uncle Earl’s Hot Dog Trials will be a hot dog eating contest in which participants will have 10 minutes to devour as many hot dogs as possible.  The Main Street Committee has adopted the same rules used in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest that takes place on Coney Island, NY. 

Entries will be limited to 10 contestants for each of the following 4 categories: 

Children age 12-15 ($10 entry fee; Winner takes home a custom Championship Hot Dog Belt). Youth age 16-18 ($25 entry fee; Winner takes home a custom Championship Hot Dog Chain). Local Business Representatives ($25 entry fee; Winner gets their name and business etched in history on the perpetual custom made Hot Dog Trials Trophy. Not to mention bragging rights). Open Round 18+ years ($25 entry fee; Winner takes home a check presented by Winn Main Street for $500).

Rules are as follows: Eligibility: Except in Children’s & Youth categories, participants must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Participants below the age of 18 will be required to provide parental consent. Competition Duration: Contest lasts for 10 minutes. Eating Method: Contestants must eat by hand—no utensils allowed. Hot Dog and Bun Requirement: Each hot dog and its bun must be consumed together to count as one unit. Time Limit: Contestants have 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as possible. Tie-Breaking Procedure: In case of a tie, a 5-hot-dog eat-off is held. If still tied, a sudden-death eat-off begins where the first contestant to eat one more hot dog wins. Judging: The number of hot dogs and buns eaten is counted by official judges, who are present at the event. Disqualification: Participants may be disqualified for violating any rules, including the use of assistance, excessive mess, or failing to eat the hot dog and bun together. Vomiting results in an automatic disqualification.

In addition to the Hot Dog Eating Contest, there will be a Poster Making Contest as well. The winner will be announced at the event and will receive a cash prize. These are due by March 7. Students should turn in their poster in the office of their respective schools. Other participants can email a picture of their poster to winnmainstreet@gmail.com. The poster must include “1st Annual Hot Dog Trials” and “Saturday, March 15th, 11am @ The Stump.”  Those who email entries must bring their original poster to the event. 

The event will take place in downtown Winnfield in the area known as “The Stump” on March 15 from 11 am to 2 p.m. “The Stump” is the area between the Winnfield Post Office and the Pea Patch Gallery & Cafe. The best way to find “The Stump” is to enter the address for the post office located at 201 S Bevill St, Winnfield, LA 71483. To sign up you can use the QR Code provided or follow Winn Main Street on Facebook where we will provide a link. Check in and payment will be done from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. You must be checked in and paid prior to 11 a.m. Cash or checks payable to “Winn Main Street” are the only forms of payment accepted. If you are under the age of 18, you will need a parental guardian present at check in. 

Any and all proceeds from the contest will be used by Winn Main Street for the betterment of downtown Winnfield. Having events such as these brings attention to and foot traffic through downtown Winnfield which at one time was bustling with activity. The committee’s hope is that by showing increased interest from the community to the downtown area, this annual event will not only attract people downtown but it will also contribute to the ability of the Winn Main Street Committee to apply for grants. If selected for certain grants, it could play a major role in the aesthetics and revitalization of the downtown area.  

Any questions, please contact 318-332-0160.