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NILES -- Over the last few years the revival of the Harry Steven Hot Dog Day in Niles has been gaining steam.
New attractions brought more people than ever to celebration, five years after the rejuvenation of the festival celebrating Harry Stevens, the immigrant who came to Niles in 1882 and the legendary inventor of the hot dog. Paired with Independence Day celebrations, events included a Fourth of July parade, the Little Miss, Junior Miss and Miss Niles pageants, the dachshund races and costume contest and a hot dog eating contest.
The festival is a great way to being the community together, and was missed during the years it wasn't around, said Mel Brown of Niles.
"This event is a great way for Niles families to come out, spend the day together doing fun things, listen to some great music, eat some excellent food and visit with friends. The Avenue and Main did a great job putting this together," Brown said.
Avenue and Main is the nonprofit that organized the event.
Camari Diegan, 10, said the helicopter rides and reptile an amphibian exhibit -- new additions this year -- made the day unforgettable.
Handling a slinky snake, Diegan said his helicopter ride, the second of his life was exciting.
"I was so cool, I saw Mosquito Lake and everything else, it all looked so small," Diegan said.
Olivia Borodziuk, 10, said the festival provided her an opportunity to interact with snakes -- a reptile she finds fascinating.
"There is no other place to do this. He is nice, I like snakes," Borodziuk said, as the critters writhed between her outstretched arms.
Latunia and William Campbell brought their dog, Tinkerbell to the wiener dog race.
Tinkerbell had a false start of sort -- she started down the track with the other dogs, and turned back before finishing the length of the race, and but then continued on with the cheering of the crowd. It was her first race, after all, Latunia Campbell said.
Booths offered everything from cold lemon shakes and ice cream, to art, clothing, pet supplies, blood pressure checks and, of course, hot dogs.
Born in Derby, England, in 1856, Stevens emigrated to Niles in 1882. His family lived at a large home at the corner of Crandon and Robbins avenues, which still stands today, and Stevens is buried in the Niles City Cemetery, where his gravesite is visited by local historians and guided tours.
rfox@tribtoday.com
Contest winners
Winners at the Harry Stevens Hot Dog Day
• Hot dog eating contest winner -- George Hoffman of Niles won $500 after eating eight hot dogs the fastest, in under 3 minutes
• Wiener dog race -- Oscar, a dachshund owned by Candy Clover of Niles
• Weiner dog costume contest -- Axel, a dachshund owned by Jessica Baker of Warren Township
• Little Miss Niles division:
Best summer attire: Jazmin Smith
Best party dress: Avery Profera
Runner up: Alinah Salamah
LITTLE MISS NILES: Karli Cox
• Junior Miss Niles division:
Miss Congeniality: Kennedy Barrell
Runner up: Abby Morgan
JUNIOR MISS NILES: Anyah Marsh
• Miss Niles division:
Miss Congeniality: Madison Johnson
Runner up: Madision Johnson
MISS NILES 2017: Sophia Bruno
Judges: Heather Fronk, Mrs. Ohio; Elena Yemma, Miss Youngstown; Roger Wilkins, former competitive figure skater and judge
Pageant committee: Cindy Rogers, chairperson; Rebekah Loveland; Georgann Murry; Kay Putnum; Bobby Seifert; Caitlin Seifert; Julie Voithofer; and Andrea Wells.