Fall River Coney Classic Crowns Hot Dog Champs and a New City Tradition

"5...4...3...2...1...EAT THOSE HOT DOGS!" I screamed as the crowd around me erupted into applause.

Fall River went frankly wild Thursday night as the city’s first-ever Coney Classic turned Purchase Street into a wiener wonderland. The two-hour hot dog showdown, part of Viva Fall River’s summer POP block party series, drew big crowds, fierce competitors, and even earned Faneek’s Coney Island Hot Dogs an official mayoral proclamation, declaring every third Thursday in July as Fall River's Day of Hot Dog.

“What an incredible day for Fall River and hot dog lovers everywhere!” Faneek’s shared on Instagram. “Seeing the Fall River hot dog enshrined in our city’s calendar is truly a dream come true.”

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The Team Throwdown: Police “Relish” the Win

Three teams battled for hot dog glory: Canned Heat Weinahs, Saint James Gaggers, and a last-minute entry from the Fall River Police Department appropriately named “We Relished the Challenge.”

READ MORE: Fall River Rolls Out the Buns for Epic Coney Classic Contest

Turns out, the name wasn’t just for laughs. The FRPD squad demolished 50 hot dogs in just 24 minutes, leaving the other teams with a baker’s dozen of dogs each still sitting on their plates.

It was Officer Sam Chase who sealed the win, swallowing the final bite to roars from the crowd.

“We came motivated, we were ready, and we’re all competitors,” Officer John Aguiar said after the victory. “Next year, we’re coming back for another 'W.'”

Aguiar named Chase and teammate Fabio as team MVPs.

“They were smashing hot dogs on the tail end, just killing our leftovers," he said.

When asked what went through his head as the last bun slid down, Chase kept it short.

“Strong voices," he said.

The Solo Showdown: 20 Hot Dogs, One Gentleman Joe

The solo competition was no less thrilling. Four contestants had 10 minutes to eat as many dogs as possible, but it was last-minute sign-up "Gentleman" Joe Menchetti of Cheshire, Connecticut, who stole the spotlight by powering through 20 hot dogs to claim the inaugural title.

A Perfect Day for Dogs

Despite some brief afternoon showers, the evening turned gorgeous with the sun breaking through just in time for the contest.

“Today was pretty wicked,” Faneek’s owner Liz Carpenter said with a laugh. “There was definitely some canned heat up in here, and the Fall River PD came in and laid down the law... I feel like they stole it, so maybe we should send the cops after them!”

Carpenter said this is just the beginning.

“Absolutely, every single year," she said. "If you think you can beat 20 hot dogs, start practicing. Next year is going to be even more wicked.”

As for what the hot dog queen eats when she’s off the clock?

“Chouriço!," she said. "I’s Fall River!”

A New Tradition Is Born

The Coney Classic is now officially part of Fall River’s Day of Hot Dog, and both Carpenter and Viva Fall River’s Patti Rego promise next year will be even bigger, with more teams, more dogs and more fun.

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Fall River loves its hot dogs... and now it’s got a day, and a competition, to prove it.