Party will welcome those who relish Hot Dog Day

Staff report

NILES

Plans for Harry Stevens Hot Dog Day are under way, and a preview party March 29 will help kick off the celebration of our weakness for wieners.

The main event will take place from noon to 8 p.m. June 29, in conjunction with Niles’ Fourth of July Parade.

As a precursor to the big event, organizers will host Harry Stevens Uncorked from 6 to 9 p.m. March 29 at Ciminero’s Banquet Centre.

Stevens is credited with the invention of the hot dog, baseball score card and by many accounts the drinking straw. He is buried in Niles City Cemetery. Babe Ruth had once referred to him as “my second father.”

The March event will feature live music, basket raffles and a 50-50 drawing. Guests will sample local wines and cheese, hors d’oeuvres and chocolates. Celebrity pourers will be on hand, including Casey Malone of “The Casey Malone Show” on 21 WFMJ-TV

All who attend will receive a limited edition Harry Stevens Day memento wine glass and a wine-scented candle. Tickets cost $30 each or $50 per couple. Only 200 tickets will be sold. They can be purchased via PayPal at www.HSHDD.com or by calling Kristenne Robison at 330-978-5796.

Vendors and volunteers are still being sought. Vendors should contact Robison at krobison@hshdd.com, and volunteers should contact one of the co-chairs, Robison or Dori MacMillan at dori.macmillan@yahoo.com. Volunteers will receive commemorative T-shirts.

Several of the popular activities from last year’s Hot Dog Day event will return, including the wiener dog races, topping contest, cornhole tournament, live music, basket raffle and several 50-50 raffles.

New this year will be a hot-dog-eating contest, and more activities are in the planning stages.

Follow the progress of the events on the HSHDD website above, on Twitter @NilesHotDogDay, and on Facebook; search Harry Stevens Hot Dog Day.

The committee organizing the events have support from the Avenue and Main and the Trumbull County Tourism Board.