Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship July 26, 2012

The first ever Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship will take place Thursday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at The Original Hooters, 2800 Gulf to Bay Blvd., in Clearwater, Fla., in partnership with Major League Eating.

The public is invited to Thursday's event, which is the grand finale of the 10-city Hooters World Wing-Eating Tour that kicked off in Augusta, Ga., in April. The party in the parking lot starts at 6 p.m. with live music by The Black Honkeys.

The professional eaters, all of whom were winners in a prior regional contest, are expected to down an average of 200 wings in 10 minutes. Some of those who will face off in Clearwater include Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, Crazy Legs Conti, and Micah “Wing Kong” Collins.

The crowning of the Wing-Eating World Champion begins a weekend-long celebration leading up to National Chicken Wing Day on Sunday, July 29. On Sunday, participating Hooters locations nationwide will offer "buy 10 wings, get 10 wings free" for dine-in guests.

Hooters fans are encouraged to come out and join the "nearly world famous" Hooters Girls for the inaugural event. Those who can't make it can watch the action live at www.facebook.com/hooters.