Children participated in the first ever half-moon eating contest at Utica's Independence Day festivities
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: July 4, 2012
Many of you may have the day off and may be enjoying your 4th of July holiday at home. But thousands are expected to be at the City of Utica's Independence Day celebration.
The celebrations began at three this afternoon. And many started their festivities with a salute to the sweet-tooth. Children 12 and under participated in the inaugural half-moon eating contest.
"It looks very sickening," explained one contestant.
Twenty lucky children came hungry to the first ever half-moon eating contest at the City of Utica Independence Day celebration.
"Double half-moons donated by Hemstrough's with red white and blue frosting. It's not how many you eat. It's who eats it faster because we want to kids to hold over for the fireworks," said volunteer for the City of Utica Trina Giglotti.
Last year, it was a hot dog eating contest, but Giglotti says the city decided to change it up.
"Hot dogs are good. But, you know that's Cony Island. We are Utica. Let's try something different. So, we are going with half-moons," said Giglotti.
"It's too much," said one contestant as her competitor said, "no it's not."
Participants put their hands behind their backs and on the count of three went at it.
In a matter of minutes, 12-year-old Ramazani Juma of Utica won the big red, white and blue trophy.
But everyone went home a winner and received a ribbon for participating. But, the winner says he wouldn't have been able to make it without his friends cheering him on.
"It feels great," said Juma.
