The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is the fan favorite, but the great American pie eating contest is the one that resonates most with me. Over the past year or so I’ve seen a few different vintage pie eating contest photos pop up from time to time and it wasn’t until now, with summertime in full swing, did it seem appropriate to highlight this amazing American tradition.
Pie Eating contests are a time-honored tradition and these old photos tell the story perfectly. You can’t help but to notice the white tee shirts, worn in denim, buzz cuts and canvas sneakers. I also can’t help thinking about the poor Ladies Auxiliary and the Benevolent Order of Antelopes in Stand By Me’s barf-o-rama. Good on Joey Chestnut for being a machine, but competitive eating contests are never going to be better than it was in the golden pie eating contest days way back when.
Thank heavens Nathan’s didn’t try to cop “pie hole” from this contest.
This is a great piece of nostalgia. Thank you for the post. It’s great.
You know what’s amazing to me? Not one obese person in any of these photos; kids or adults! Times have changed.
Good point, Jeff. I also noticed that most of the men and boys are wearing hats or caps. Reminds me of my grandfather who never left the house without a hat, regardless of the season or weather.
Keep at it, Michael. The recent post re: Ted Harrington reaches another level.
Genius!!