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Stevens, inventor of the hot dog and the baseball scorecard, lived in Niles
NILES
The hot dog was king Sunday during Niles’ seventh annual Harry Stevens Hot Dog Day celebration.
George Hoffman of Niles conquered eight hot dogs by eating them in the least time and winning the $500 first prize.
Oscar the dachshund, owned by Candy Clover of Niles, won the wiener dog race over 13 other competitors, and Axel, owned by Jessica Barker of Warren Township, took first place in the costume contest for the third-straight year, dressed as an ear of corn. The event was officiated by Dr. Michael and Justine Neopolitan of Niles.
There was even a cookbook, “Delicious Hot Dogs: Recipes for Good Eating,” a collection of recipes compiled by Hugh G. Earnhart of Poland, professor emeritus in history at Youngstown State University and a Korean War Navy veteran, and his wife, Mary Kay, a retired Youngstown City Schools mathematics teacher.
Harry Stevens, credited with inventing the hot dog in 1901, was born in England and came to Niles in 1880, staying here a few years before moving away. He and his family moved back and lived here until he died in 1934. The home he built still stands at the corner of Robbins and North Crandon avenues near the entrance to Stevens Park, which his family donated to the Niles community.
Stevens, who also invented the baseball scorecard, parlayed the lowly hot dog into Harry M. Stevens Inc., the largest ballpark business in the United States at one time.
Stevens also is the inspiration for The Avenue and Main, a nonprofit Niles community enhancement organization, the goal of which is to host community events to “unite the efforts of Niles residents to keep Niles the great place it is to live and work,” according to The Avenue and Main literature.
Sunday’s event was family oriented.
Jeanie and Jerry Denno of Niles said they attended to enjoy the music played by Jimi and the Cool Cats and to support their granddaughter, Samantha Gilliam of Niles, a member of the Niles McKinley High School Key Club who was a volunteer selling – what else – hot dogs.
Other activities besides the eating contest and the wiener dog races were a cornhole tournament, a Fourth of July parade, helicopter rides, the Miss Niles Pageant and a performance by The Sensational Band. Among the many vendors was Cantola Crafts, owned by Aimee and Al Cantola, members of The Avenue and Main.
“The festival ended in the mid-’80s, but we have brought it back,” said Barry Steffey, president of The Avenue and Main organization.
“This is a great event that gets better and better every year,” said Ed Stredney, a member of The Avenue and Main.