Comestevents for July 4, 2008

If a cookout or picnic is not on your schedule for this Independence Day, you may wish to try one of the following big food events:

The Great July 4^th Festival

This annual street fair features various ethnic foods as well as games, arts, crafts, apparel, and other merchandise.

Water Street (between Fulton & Broad Sts), Lower Manhattan
10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.  Free.

(212) 809-4900

http://www.nycstreetfairs.com/sched.html

By train: R,W to Whitehall St; 2,3 to Wall St; A,C to Broadway-Nassau
By bus: M1, M6, M9, M15

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest: The Rematch II

This annual event has taken place for 92 years, since the days of Nathan Handwerker.  "This time it's personal," if you choose to believe the hype.  Last year, Joey Chestnut of San Jose, California defeated six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi while setting a world record by consuming 66 Nathan's franks and buns in just 12 minutes.  Go in person or watch the competition on ESPN (12:00 Noon).  Free.

Nathan's Famous

1310 Surf Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn

(718) 946-2202

http://thenathansrematch.com/

By train: D,F,N,Q to Coney Island-Stillwell Av
By bus: B36, B64, B68, B74, B82