For Coney Island, summer business kicks off with the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

Every Fourth of July, thousands descend on the Coney Island boardwalk to watch the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Every Fourth of July, thousands descend on the Coney Island boardwalk to watch the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. It’s the busiest day of the year for the Brooklyn neighborhood — and a boon to its businesses. For more than a century, New Yorkers have flocked to Coney Island for its holiday festivities, which culminate in a traditional fireworks display. There’s nearly three miles of beaches along the ocean as well as an amusement park that includes the nearly century-old Cyclone roller coaster, electric go-karts and arcades; minor-league baseball games; museums; and an aquarium. This year’s hot dog eating contest is expected to have an even bigger attendance than previous years, as 16-time champion Joey Chestnut returns after being banned in 2024. The competition once attracted over 40,000 in-person spectators and was broadcasted to nearly 2 million viewers on ESPN, according to Nathan’s Famous. For these businesses, the sharp uptick in foot traffic can be a lifeline. Coney Island’s growth was slammed by damage from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and then from the pandemic shutdowns in 2020. Steve Cohen, vice president of the minor league baseball team the Brooklyn Cyclones and chairman of the community group Alliance for Coney Island, said 2020 and 2021 were difficult years for his business due to restrictions on groups. But now “we’re definitely seeing a rebound.”