Hot dogs, pies, pinto beans - unusual July Fourth events
Perhaps the most famous offbeat July Fourth tradition is the hot-dog eating contest at Nathan's in Coney Island, Brooklyn. The annual eating event was expected to draw up to 40,000 fans this year.
In this picture, men's world record holder Joey Chestnut, left, and women's world record holder Sonya Thomas eat a hot dog during the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest weigh-in ceremony July 3, 2013.
Facial hair for freedom!
In Albany, Calif., the best whiskers win at the Fourth of July Mustache & Beard competition. Prizes will be awarded for both natural and unnatural categories at the contest as part of the city's Green, Red, White and Blue celebration.In this picture, a competitor poses during the World Beard and Moustache Championships in Brighton, England.