This Quirky And Fun Hot Dog Festival Is Well Worth The Drive From Cleveland
By Nikki Rhoades|Published May 03, 2019
×
Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Greater Cleveland is home to some quirky attractions. The Free Stamp, the local medical museum, and even the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum have attracted lovers of the strange and unusual to Cleveland. However, this flair for oddity extends throughout the entire state, as evidenced by this bizarre upcoming food fest that’s only 90 minutes away from home:
You may have never considered the origins of the hot dog, but it's a food that is fairly new to the world.
Harry Mozley Stevens was born in Derby, England in 1856. It was around 1880 when Stevens moved to Niles, Ohio and fell in love with baseball. He became involved with the sport and sold concessions at several major stadiums, famously pairing a German sausage with a bun to create the hot dog around 1901.
Niles, Ohio may be best remembered as the birthplace of William McKinley, but the city of 20,000 celebrates its history of hot dogs each year.
Harry Stevens, who died in 1934, never had the opportunity to attend the annual celebration held in his honor; it first began in 2013 and it has become a cherished tradition in the modern community.
Advertisement
Harry Stevens Hot Dog Day will be taking place in Niles this June, and it's an event you won't want to miss.
In late June, thousands gather in this unique community to celebrate the man credited with inventing both the hot dog and the drinking straw. The festivity offers endless fun to attendees, many of whom are enamored by the uniqueness of the event.
Advertisement
A parade, music, and contests provide something for each and every attendee...
Thousands of hot dogs are prepared at this event each year, and the most competitive visitors set out to consume an impressive portion of that total. Whether you're competing or watching, the hot dog eating contest is an event that's too fun to miss.
This unusual festival is located about an hour and a half away from Cleveland, which means you'll want to take it easy on the road trip snacks before you arrive.
If you're ready for an unusual event that's unlike any other, we'll see you out in Niles, Ohio!
This is one event that you won't want to miss. There's truly nothing like it!
There’s so much to love at this quirky food festival near Cleveland. Do you have a friend or family member that would adore this event? Tag them in the comments!
