Nathan's Famous Fourth Of July Hot Dog Eating Contest Slideshow

Host Jon Hein of Fast Food Mania gets the crowd going outside Nathan's Hot Dogs on Coney Island July 4.

Hot dogs sit as props on stage.

As a pregame to the hot dog eating competition, Miss New York and others had to find (fake) nickels in a big vat of all-American apple pie.

The scoreboard announces the current records at Nathan's Annual Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Host Jon Hein, who was probably dying in the 90-degree heat.

One of the female competitors dances on stage during her entrance.

Winner Sonya Thomas goes into the crowd after receiving her trophy.

The three winners of the men's competition, including Tim "Eater X" Janus (second place) and Joey Chestnut (first), convene on stage. Chestnut ate 68 hot dogs; Janus ate 52.

A competitor in the men's competition shows off his bright gold shorts.

Competitor Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago ripped off his shorts onstage to reveal a Magic Mike worthy patriotic thong. He ended up eating 51 hot dogs, in third place.

19-year-old Matt Stonie ate 34 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

The men's competition and its top four contenders.

The female competition, and the top three contenders.

Eater X and Joey Chestnut compete in the men's competition.

Winners Sonya Thomas and Joey Chestnut, at the end of it all.