NEW YORK — Organized gluttony has become an American tradition held in the same regard as other Independence Day activities such as fireworks and the colors red, white and blue.
Northwest Ohio will be well-represented in the former when, on Thursday, Edon native Cherish Brown will be one of the 14 women competing in the Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest on Coney Island in New York.
Brown, who was born in Angola, Ind., but has lived in Edon for most of her life, is competing in her second Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest. Last year she finished in 10th place by downing six-and-a-half dogs.
"I think the experience itself is so fun," Brown said. "It's not something people get to experience in their lifetime. The fact that I'm able to do it twice, it's still an accomplishment."
She says she's been able to finish as many as 14 during her training sessions, but attributes that to the more controlled space.
"In the contest, there are thousands and thousands of people watching you," Brown said. "It's so hot. The sun is shining down on you. You're being filmed. You're on ESPN. I think I let the pressure get to me last year."
Brown qualified for the 2023 contest by winning a regional qualifying event in Dayton. This year, she qualified by winning a regional event in Grand Rapids, Mich. Brown, who is also a mixed martial artist and practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, began eating competitively in 2021.
"I did a lot of weight-cutting for MMA fights," Brown said. "I would come off of a weight cut and just be constantly hungry and I would never be full."
The now 35-year-old Brown started doing food challenges and posting them to her YouTube channel. Her quest for food challenges has taken her all over the country.