About 10 years ago, a group of friends at Dave Stackhouse’s Shop in Bristol challenged each other to a hot dog eating contest. It started as an “I bet I can eat more than you” comment and has grown since that initial gurgitation, as competitive eating is called, into an event attended by close to 200 people July 1.
A few years ago, it became a benefit in memory of Loren St. Cyr, 20, of Newcastle, who died after he was struck by two cars while walking along a road in Jefferson on Sept. 20, 2008.
All proceeds from the “Annual Stackhouse Landscaping Hot Dog Eating Contest & Benefit” go to the Loren St. Cyr Memorial CLC YMCA Camp Scholarship Fund. “We all thought it would be a great way to remember Loren,” said his brother Shawn St. Cyr,” He loved camp and went on a scholarship when he was in grade school.”
“This money is not for the tennis courts, or a swimming pool,” said Dave Stackhouse, who organized and emceed the event. “This is for children to get to camp and every penny goes right there.”
Community businesses and individuals donated everything from food and drink to prizes. Attendees paid a small fee at the gate. “We make up a big list of what we need and hand it to Joe Jacobs, and somehow, stuff falls off of trucks or something and in the next day or two we have what we need.” Stackhouse said.
Contributions included signed shirts from the Red Sox and a sailboat for silent auction, plus raffle items and gift certificates for game winners and eating champions.
There were “Dog Shoe” and “Puppy Shoe” games, a paintball target game, face painting, DJ music by Walt and Vikki Hilton, and of course, eating contests.
At 7 p.m., the youngest contestants were seated at long tables with blueberry pies, topped off with piles of whipped cream. Stackhouse, using an electronic countdown sign, started off the contest. It was clear quickly that Adam St Cyr, 3, was serious about his pie-eating skills. The tow-headed champion was head first in pie and stayed firmly in the lead, emerging victorious with blueberries in his eyes and hair.
“I think he may be the reincarnation of Loren,” said his father Shawn, laughing.
Dave Stackhouse announced at that time that entrants in the men’s and women’s hot dog eating competition had to sign liability waivers. He explained the large black curtain labeled “Wall of Shame” that hung behind the eating tables and introduced Greg Jacobs, the perpetrator of the “infamous reversal of 2010,” (also known as a regurgitation).
Jacobs, from Uxbridge, Mass., was present to redeem himself and wrest the Championship from Shawn St. Cyr, last year’s victor.
The women’s competition came first. Calls went out for condiments, and water was provided as dipping the buns is allowed for easier swallowing. Ketchup and mustard just made the real red skinned hotdogs that much more palatable in quantity. Molly Stackhouse took the lead immediately and finished first with 5½ dogs and buns in the allotted 10 minutes.
The crowd rose with hats and hands on hearts, for the playing of the National Anthem, signaling the start of the main event.
Eleven determined men took their seats each with an official “counter.” Dave Stackhouse displayed the Championship Belt, won last year by Shawn St. Cyr, and issued a challenge that he would personally pay a $100 bonus prize if anyone could down 20 hot dogs. With much bravado, but significantly less capacity, several contestants cheered.
Then they were off, gobbling, dipping and turning variously pale or red. At first it appeared that St. Cyr has some competition, but he quickly took the lead, winning handily at 12 hot dogs and buns consumed. This was less than his personal best of 13 last year, but enough to take home the championship belt.
The true success of the event was family fun and good natured camaraderie. The little ‘under the radar’ event culminated with cheers when Dave Stackhouse announced over $3000 was raised, enough for about 30 camp scholarships for this summer at the CLC YMCA.
