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2020 Nathan’s hot dog eating contest to be held without fans present

For the first time in over 53 years the Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest will have no audience due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Organizers announced Tuesday that the contest will be held in a private location without a live audience, according to the New York Post. To ensure social distancing, the event will have only a third of the competitors that usually participate.

The contest will be held in honor of essential workers in New York City.

“We owe so much to those that kept our communities fed and cared for during this unprecedented time, and we look forward to honoring them on July 4,” James Walker, Nathan’s Famous senior vice president, Restaurants told WABC-TV.

The organizer, Major League Eating, said that the eaters are making donations to food banks and essential workers in New York that are helping amid the coronavirus epidemic. One hundred thousand Nathan’s Famous hot dogs will be donated to Food Bank for New York City.

Among the contestants expected to compete, Joey Chesnut told TMZ that he was planning to make an appearance at the event. Last year Chestnut ate 71 wieners and buns to secure his 12th title. In 2018. he broke the world record by eating 74 hot dogs and buns in under 10 minutes.

The contest will be one of the first major events to be televised since the coronavirus pandemic began in the U.S., according to WABC-TV.