Bring appetite to

Men, women and children in the Vermillion area – it�s time to start practicing the fine art of downing frankfurters as quickly as you can.

Hy-Vee of Vermillion will host the first annual Vermillion Hot Dog Eating Championship at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 28.

The contest will be held in the store�s parking lot, weather permitting.

People interested in participating may stop by the Hy-Vee store and register at the customer service counter.

�There will be three divisions,� said Ron Avery, store director of the Vermillion Hy-Vee. �There will be a female division, there will be a male division and there will be a children�s division for kids age 13 and under.�

Helping to sponsor the event are The Broadcaster Press, Coca-Cola, Sara Lee and Farmland Foods.

The first-place winners in the female and male divisions will each receive $100. Second-place winners will receive $50.

The first-place prize in the children�s division is $50. The second-place recipient will be awarded $25.

�There should be lots of fun and excitement,� Avery said.