5 Things Every Vendor Wants Festival Organizers to Know

A person adds ketchup to a grilled hot dog with a red-and-white checkered festival table in the background

When it comes to festivals, the spotlight often shines on mainstage entertainment, big-name sponsors, and viral food challenges — such as the much-anticipated Clay County Fairgrounds hot dog eating contest. But behind every epic funnel cake and handcrafted candle booth is a vendor hoping organizers remember what really matters on the ground. If you’re planning […]

The Rise of Competitive Eating: From Niche to National Stage

A gourmet hot dog topped with pickles and onions held at a Florida outdoor event

It starts with a bun, a bite, and a stopwatch. In 2001, an unassuming man named Takeru Kobayashi stepped up to the table at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest and did the unthinkable—he devoured 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes, shattering records and blowing minds. What followed wasn’t just applause; it was the beginning of […]