We deputized AnimalNY's Bucky Turco to document the goings-on in Coney Island yesterday. This is what he came back with. ("Sorry, just woke up," he writes.)

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We can confirm that, yes, people go to this. It's crowded, sweaty and altogether unpleasant. But it could be worse.

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Okay, now it couldn't be worse.

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Does this make things better? I don't know. Wait, is this even from Nathan's, or was this just left on Bucky's camera from the night before?

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"I'd spring for a hot dog, but I'm a little short." I don't know if he used that line, but he should have.

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A pile of hot dogs before the gorging. Yes, those are flies.

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Gurgitators, commence! It's exactly as interesting to watch in person as on TV.

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Eventual winner Joey Chestnut looking dangerously close to barfing.

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Is that barf? That looks like barf.

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Yup, Barf. And a human hand.

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Kobayashi protesting in the crowd.

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Kobayashi preparing to jump on stage, and then this happened.

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Crashtern wondering why we made him do this.

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Yes, they're going to do it all over again next year. With or without Kobayashi.