Shannon Miller celebrates his win at the Olerud’s hot dog eating contest Saturday afternoon. Miller won the contest with eight hotdogs consumed in four minutes. July 4, 2026. (Will Steinfeld/Chilkat Valley News)

Twelve contestants stepped up to the table positioned outside of Olerud’s after the Fourth of July parade, ready to participate in a hot-dog-eating contest. Olerud’s employees Tyler Swinton and Bryce Wortman prepared 160 hot dogs for the 17 people who initially signed up. 

Lizzy Hahn is a reporter and photographer from Nome. She has worked in newsrooms across Alaska including the Anchorage Daily News, Nome Nugget and UAF Sun Star.