Daily Loaf

I’ve written about competitive eating in the past, and I’ve even considered entering St. Pete’s home-grown version of the classic Nathan’s Coney Island hot dog eating contest (especially since the competition seems a little light). Now’s your chance to get in on the grotesque display of gurgitation, while supporting a good cause.

Dairy Inn’s (1201 9th Street N. St. Petersburg, 727-822-6971) contest begins at 11:30 a.m. this Saturday, July 4. Winners in each of the categories — Men, Women, and Children — will recieve $100 and have their names inscribed on Dairy Inn’s “Relish-Green Belt”. Entry is free, but it’s a benefit for St. Pete’s Pet Pals Shelter, so plan on forking over some charity dough before the meat sweats make it hard to reach into your wallet. And if it’s your first time, don’t expect to rock the dogs like Kobayashi or Joey Chestnut. No matter how impressive your gluttony is to your friends, this is a serious sport that requires intense training and a serious disregard for your well-being.

Get your Fourth of July party started early at Hogs ‘n’ Dogs, where you’ll find a hot dog eating contest, a bike show by the retired firemen of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, and a red carpet dog show — with prizes for the peppiest pups. Try a cold glass of lemonade to wash down those hotdogs; money raised at Alex’s Lemonade Stand goes to children’s cancer research, while proceeds from the pup pageant benefit the SPCA. The event begins at the intersection of 24th Street and Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, and continues throughout the Grand Central District. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun., June 28, free, grandcentraldistrict.org.

Hello, Dali is a contemporary dance, visual art and musical performance is inspired by Dali’s surrealist paintings. Local composer A. Paul Johnson wrote and recorded the score in response to Dali’s work, and the Fuzion Dance Artists of Sarasota were in turn inspired to create a Dali-esque dance piece. The multi-media performance features projections, lights, costumes and props, and contributions from both local and nationally-recognized dancers and artists. 7:30 p.m. Sat., June 27, 2 p.m. Sun., June 28, Salvador Dalí  Museum, St. Petersburg, $15 adults, $10 students, salvadordalimuseum.org.

The Tarance Kinsey Celebrity all-Star Weekend kicks off with “Comedy’s the Cure,” a stand-up show featuring Joe and Guy Torry, Gary Owen and Doug Williams. Then, the Cloud Nine All White Affair is an evening of elegance and glamor with an NBA All-Star guest list, including LeBron James, Mo Williams, Joe Smith, Rudy Gay and more. Proceeds benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Comedy’s the Cure, 8-10 p.m. Fri., June 26; Cloud Nine, 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Sat., June 27, Hyatt Regency Downtown, 211 N. Tampa St., Tampa, Comedy’s the Cure, $25 general, $40 VIP; Cloud Nine, $20 general, $100 VIP red carpet entrance, tkallstars.com.

There’s something for everyone after the break:

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