Hot dog champs repeat as NYC marks virus-dampened July 4
NEW YORK The coronavirus put a damper on this years Fourth of July celebrations in New York, but some things stayed the same. Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo repeated as mens and womens champions at Saturdays Nathans Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest. Both hot dog totals were world records. Independence Day is a fitting occasion to reopen the 9/11 Memorial, Bloomberg, the chairperson of the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum, said in a prepared statement. New York Citys July 4 festivities will be capped by a televised fireworks display over the Empire State Building.
From big cities to backyards, July 4 not usual blowout bash
The fireworks were not announced until an hour or so before to avoid attracting large crowds during the coronavirus pandemic. This is traditionally a weekend for gathering in large groups for historic ceremonies and social events, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said. The Fourth of July remains a party, though Americas 244th birthday wont be the usual blowout bash. Fireworks will still crackle over the National Mall in Washington and other places, though with fewer people packed together watching them. But whether its big cities or small towns bursting with pride, theres a desire to make sure some show goes on, no matter what it looks like.