The annual Nathan's Fourth of July Hot Dog eating contest takes place in Coney Island Saturday, but before they chow down the contestants stepped up on the scales at the weigh-in.

The event took place Friday afternoon at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Reigning men's champ Joey Chestnut is set to defend his title again.

He will be seeking his ninth straight mustard belt.

Miki Sudo will be looking to retain the women's title.

She won her first mustard belt last year.

The women's hot dog competition begins Saturday at 11 a.m.

The men get underway at 12:30 p.m.

With summer in full swing, beachgoers are also hitting the waves in Coney Island for the holiday weekend.

While crews were setting up for the hot dog eating contest, New Yorkers headed from the subway straight to the sand, surf, and sunshine.

Local business owners say they're looking forward to the holiday crowds, noting there's no shortage of fun to be had.

"It's beautiful out it's not so packed, the beach is huge. And then if you need something there's shops all over, pretty much. Whether you need something for the beach, you don't have to get it and carry it on the subway, you can just pick it up here. Or you just want to go shopping, or the kids want to go on the rides, or you want to watch the hotdog eating contest instead of tuning in to ESPN, see it live. There's a lot to do here," said Maya Haddad, owner of Brooklyn Beach Shop.

Fireworks are also scheduled for the next three nights in Coney Island.