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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

Competitors release their dogs at the start of the race Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Pullman Square, during the Cavalier Meats Annual Wiener Dog Races at the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

Competitors cheer on their dogs as they hope for a first-place finish Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Pullman Square, during the Cavalier Meats Annual Wiener Dog Races at the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

Brandon Hicks, at left, and several other contestants shove one hotdog after another in their mouths as they compete to win to 2008 Stewart's Hot Dog eating crown Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Pullman Square.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

Jeff Muth, a contestant in the 2008 Stewart's Hot Dog eating competition, bites off about half a hotdog Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Pullman Square, as the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival activities rolled along.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

Dog owners line up along the finish line and try to coax their pets to a first-place finish Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Pullman Square, during the Cavalier Meats Annual Wiener Dog Races at the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

"Willie", a wire-haired daschund, is dressed up as a hot dog as he waits for his first trip around in the Dog Costume and Pooch Parade on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Pullman Square during the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

2008 West Virginia Hot Dog Festival junior queen Jessica Eves, left, of Milton, and queen Myriah Hisam, a Marshall University student from Friendly, received gift baskets after being introduced to the crowd Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Pullman Square during the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

"Wiener," the mascot for BG's Freezette Hotdogs in Proctorville, was on display along 4th Avenue on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

Stacey Brown of Ironton, Ohio, and her cock-a-poo, "Oliver", represent Buckeye country as they hit the runway during the Owner/Dog Look Alike Contest on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

Rachel McKay of Duncan Falls, Ohio, drove over three hours to let her daschund, Rosie Mae, compete in the Owner/Dog Look Alike Contest on Saturday, July 26, 2008, on the 9th Street Plaza, at the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival. "This is her day," said McKay.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

Tera McKninney and her son, Blake, 3, of Ona, along with their terrier "Wrigley," are visited by "Chloe", another contestant in the Owner/Dog Look Alike Contest on Saturday, July 26, 2008, on the 9th Street Plaza at the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

"Tilley" sports a light-pink hairdo, compliments of Kool-Aid, on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Pullman Square, during the Pooch Parade at the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

"Julio," a Shih Tzu, sits at the feet of owner Howard Walker as he is dressed in Marshall University apparel as they get set for the Pooch Parade on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Pullman Square during the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

"Bella", an English bulldog, is walked by owner Sheri Dillon of Huntington on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Pullman Square during the Dog Costume and Pooch Parade at the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

Brandon Hicks, from left, Chris McKenzie, Jay Nelson, Jeff Muth, Brian Slone, Robert Cox and David Knapp make short work out of boxes of hot dogs put in front of them Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Pullman Square during the Stewarts Original Hot DogsÕ Hot Dog Eating Contest at the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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Howie McCormick/For The Herald-Dispatch

Brandon Hicks works to cram one last hot dog in his mouth before time expires Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Pullman Square during the Stewarts Original Hot DogsÕ Hot Dog Eating Contest at the fourth annual West Virginia Hot Dog Festival.

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