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One of the many popular traditions of Fourth of July celebrations is the hot dog eating contest. "Professional eaters" travel from around the world to compete. More than likely, the hot dog eating contest you will be having will not be a world-class competition. It could be a part of a backyard get together or even a fundraiser for an organization/charity of your choice. This doesn't mean you can't make your hot dog eating contest like those top-notch competitions. With a little planning, your contest can be just as exciting and fun as the ones seen on television.

The first step is to set a budget. Take into consideration how many participants and spectators you are expecting. Compare the costs of different brands of hot dogs and hot dog buns. You should consider how many hot dogs will be needed for the contestants and the spectators. You may even consider buying these at a discount wholesale club such as Sam's Club or Costco. If this is going to be a backyard competition, friends and family may be asked to contribute to the "pot luck contest." If you rent the locale, make sure all the fees and deposits are clearly outlined in the contract you may be required to sign. Be sure to budget for additional seating, decorations, cleaning supplies, prizes, etc. so there are no hidden costs. If you are using this hot dog eating contest as a fundraiser, remember to ask for donations from local businesses and individuals. Figure in how much money your expect from selling tickets, refreshments, etc. By doing this, you may not have much of a budget to worry about. For those using the contest as a fundraiser, be sure to calculate advertising costs and legal fees for the disclaimers you should have for any event. These fees may be donated as well. Please do not attempt to write your own disclaimers; if there was an accident or a problem of some sort, the legal fees will add up quickly if the disclaimer is properly worded.

If you are having a fundraising hot dog eating contest, now is the time to decide what your entry fee for the contestants will be and how much to charge for the tickets purchased by the spectators. You do not have to set a price for the tickets. Many successful fundraisers will take a donation of any size in exchange for a ticket. The decision to set a price or not is up to you. Consider your local area and research past fundraisers to see how the community reacted to both options.

The next step is to decide on the location of the hot dog eating contest. Make

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